reduce

verb
UK: /rɪˈdjuːs/
US: /rɪˈduːs/

  1. To make something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.

    1. We need to reduce the amount of sugar in this cake recipe.
    2. The company aims to reduce its carbon footprint by implementing sustainable practices.

  2. To bring someone or something to a lower or weaker state or condition.

    1. The illness really did reduce him, he was so weak after it.
    2. High interest rates can reduce a company to bankruptcy if they cannot pay their debts.

  3. To simplify something, such as a fraction or equation.

    1. Can you reduce this fraction to its simplest form for me please?
    2. The engineer managed to reduce the complex problem to a set of simpler equations.

Synonyms

decrease lower lessen simplify cut weaken diminish
reduce intransitive-verb

  1. To lose weight by dieting.

    1. I'm trying to reduce because my clothes don't fit anymore.
    2. She decided to reduce before her wedding so she started eating healthy and exercising.
reduce noun

  1. A thing that is smaller, or that has been made smaller, than it was before.

    1. The shop offered a reduce on all shoes this week only.
    2. The company is planning a significant reduce in its workforce next quarter.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "reduce" in English means: To make something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size., To bring someone or something to a lower or weaker state or condition., To simplify something, such as a fraction or equation..

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

Synonyms for "reduce": decrease, lower, lessen, simplify, cut, weaken, diminish.

Example usage of "reduce": "We need to reduce the amount of sugar in this cake recipe.". More examples on the page.