discount
n. · v. · adj.-
1 price reduction (n.) A2 Elementaryan amount of money taken off the usual cost of something.
a reduction in the gross amount or list price of an item or service.
ExampleStudents can get a ten percent discount on books at this shop.
ExampleThe retailer offered a substantial discount to customers who were willing to purchase the floor models rather than waiting for new stock.
- reduction
- markdown
- concession
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2 to dismiss an idea (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto decide that something is not true or not important.
to disregard or minimize the significance of information, a theory, or a claim.
ExampleYou shouldn't discount the possibility of rain just because the sun is out now.
ExampleThe board was quick to discount the consultant's warnings, a decision they would later regret when the market shifted as predicted.
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3 to reduce a price (v.) B1 Intermediateto lower the price of something you are selling.
to offer an item for sale at a lower price than its standard retail value.
ExampleThe shop usually discounts its winter coats in February.
ExampleThe airline began to heavily discount its long-haul fares in an attempt to recover market share from its low-cost competitors.
- mark down
- reduce
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4 selling at lower prices (adj.) B1 Intermediatedescribing a shop or product that is cheaper than others.
specializing in or relating to the sale of goods at prices below those standardly charged.
ExampleWe buy our groceries at a discount supermarket to save money.
ExampleThe rise of discount retailers has fundamentally altered the landscape of the high street, forcing traditional department stores to reconsider their pricing strategies.
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5 financial deduction (v.) C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Lawto take away an amount of interest when lending money.
to lend money upon a bill or note, deducting the interest or allowance in advance.
ExampleThe bank will discount the bill and give you the cash today.
ExampleThe central bank agreed to discount the commercial paper at a preferential rate to ensure liquidity within the regional financial system.
UsageThe verb is transitive and typically used in banking or legal contracts.
Alteration of French descompte, décompte, from Old French disconter, desconter (“reckon off, account back, discount”), from Medieval Latin discomputō (“to deduct, discount”), from Latin dis- (“away”) + computō (“to reckon, count”). By surface analysis, dis- + count.