depreciate

verb
UK: /dɪˈpriːʃieɪt/
US: /dɪˈpriːʃieɪt/

  1. To decrease in value over time.

    1. Cars depreciate quickly after you buy them because of usage.
    2. The value of the house will depreciate if it is not well maintained, for example.

  2. To reduce the recorded accounting value of (an asset) systematically over its anticipated life.

    1. The company depreciates its equipment over a ten-year period for tax purposes.
    2. Accountants depreciate assets like machinery to reflect their wear and tear over time and to reduce their tax burden.

  3. To disapprove of something or someone; to belittle.

    1. He often depreciates my efforts, even when I succeed, to make me feel bad.
    2. She tried to depreciate his achievements, but everyone knew he was talented, despite of that.

Synonyms

reduce belittle diminish disparage devalue

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "depreciate" in English means: To decrease in value over time., To reduce the recorded accounting value of (an asset) systematically over its anticipated life., To disapprove of something or someone; to belittle..

The phonetic transcription of "depreciate" is /dɪˈpriːʃieɪt/ in British English and /dɪˈpriːʃieɪt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "depreciate": reduce, belittle, diminish, disparage, devalue.

Example usage of "depreciate": "Cars depreciate quickly after you buy them because of usage.". More examples on the page.