reduces
|re/duce|
🇺🇸
/rɪˈdus/
🇬🇧
/rɪˈdjuːs/
(reduce)
make smaller
Etymology
'reduce' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'reducere', where the prefix 're-' meant 'back' and 'ducere' meant 'to lead'.
'reduce' changed from Latin 'reducere' into Old French 'reduire' and Middle English 'reducen', and eventually became the modern English word 'reduce'.
Initially it meant 'to lead back' or 'bring back'; over time it evolved to mean 'bring down, make smaller, or lessen' and also developed specialized technical senses (e.g., chemical reduction).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present tense, third person singular form of 'reduce'.
She reduces the portion sizes to cut calories.
Verb 2
makes smaller in size, amount, degree, or number (e.g., reduces expenses, reduces speed).
The new policy reduces waste across the company.
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Verb 3
lowers the severity, intensity, or importance of something (e.g., reduces risk, reduces pain).
Regular exercise reduces the risk of many diseases.
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Verb 4
brings something into a simpler, more basic, or more manageable form (e.g., reduces a problem to its essentials).
The teacher reduces complex ideas to clear, simple examples.
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Last updated: 2025/12/29 23:27