What does decrease mean?
"Decrease" is one of the most widely used words for expressing reduction in English, functioning both as a verb and as a noun. As a verb, it means to become smaller in size, amount, number, or degree, whether that change happens on its own ("temperatures decreased overnight") or is brought about deliberately ("the company decreased its workforce"). As a noun, it names the process or instance of such reduction, as in "a sharp decrease in sales." The word is neutral in tone and appears constantly in journalism, science, finance, and everyday conversation, often paired with words like "sharp," "steady," or "significant" to describe the pace of change. A useful detail for learners is its stress shift: the verb stresses the second syllable while the noun stresses the first. Derived from Latin roots meaning "to grow," decrease is essentially the negative counterpart of increase, making the pair fundamental to describing change in nearly every domain of life.
To become smaller in size, amount, number, or degree; or to cause something to do so.
"The medicine helped decrease the swelling within hours."
Can be used transitively ("they decreased the dose") or intransitively ("sales decreased"). Stress on second syllable: /dɪˈkriːs/.
An act or instance of becoming smaller; the amount by which something diminishes.
"We recorded a significant decrease in air pollution this year."
Typically followed by "in" to specify what is decreasing (e.g., "a decrease in temperature"). Stress on first syllable: /ˈdiːkriːs/.
Used when referring to multiple instances or measurements of reduction, common in statistical or financial contexts.
"The report documented several consecutive decreases in unemployment."
The verb and noun of "decrease" are pronounced differently — DEE-crease as a verb, but DEE-crease with stress on the first syllable (DEE-creese) as a noun — a subtle shift English speakers make without ever being taught.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of decrease
"Decrease" entered English in the late Middle Ages via Old French "decreistre," which itself derives from Latin "decrescere," formed from "de-" (indicating reversal or removal) plus "crescere" (to grow or arise). The same Latin root "crescere" underlies a family of English words including "increase," "growth"-related terms like "crescendo," "concrete," and "accrue." The word has carried its core sense of growing smaller or lessening continuously since its earliest recorded use in English, with both noun and verb forms established from an early period.
Related word forms
How decrease is actually used
"Decrease" is neutral in register and common in both formal and everyday contexts, especially in statistics, economics, and scientific writing. When used as a verb, it can be either transitive or intransitive; the noun is typically followed by "in" to specify what is decreasing. Note the stress shift: as a verb the stress falls on the second syllable (de-CREASE), while as a noun it falls on the first syllable (DE-crease) — the same pattern seen in "increase," "record," and "present."
Easily confused with decrease
A decrement is the specific amount by which something is reduced (often in computing), while decrease refers more broadly to any reduction in size, amount, or degree.
Decline suggests a gradual falling off or deterioration, often over time, whereas decrease simply denotes a reduction in quantity or intensity without implying quality.