discount
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.an amount of money taken off the usual cost of something.
n.a reduction in the gross amount or list price of an item or service.
Simple“Students can get a ten percent discount on books at this shop.”
In context“The retailer offered a substantial discount to customers who were willing to purchase the floor models rather than waiting for new stock.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to decide that something is not true or not important.
v.to disregard or minimize the significance of information, a theory, or a claim.
Simple“You shouldn't discount the possibility of rain just because the sun is out now.”
In context“The board was quick to discount the consultant's warnings, a decision they would later regret when the market shifted as predicted.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
v.to lower the price of something you are selling.
v.to offer an item for sale at a lower price than its standard retail value.
Simple“The shop usually discounts its winter coats in February.”
In context“The airline began to heavily discount its long-haul fares in an attempt to recover market share from its low-cost competitors.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
adj.describing a shop or product that is cheaper than others.
adj.specializing in or relating to the sale of goods at prices below those standardly charged.
Simple“We buy our groceries at a discount supermarket to save money.”
In context“The rise of discount retailers has fundamentally altered the landscape of the high street, forcing traditional department stores to reconsider their pricing strategies.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
v.to take away an amount of interest when lending money.
v.to lend money upon a bill or note, deducting the interest or allowance in advance.
Simple“The bank will discount the bill and give you the cash today.”
In context“The 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.
Synonyms
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.