English Explanatory Dictionary

diminish

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To make smaller.
  2. To become less or smaller.
  3. To make appear smaller than in reality; to dismiss as unimportant.
  4. To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken; to nerf (in gaming).
  5. To taper.
  6. To disappear gradually.
  7. To take away; to subtract.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/ en-us-diminish.ogg

Word forms

diminish diminishes diminishing diminished

Etymology

Formed under the influence of both diminue (from Old French diminuer, from Latin dīminuo) and minish.

Synonyms

decline ebb ooze abase abate belittle besmall bring down embase cut decrease decrement diminish foreshorten lessen lilliputianize lower mince minimize reduce shrink smallify

Antonyms

improve repair renovate wax augment

Related words

diminution

Derived words

diminishable diminisher diminishment law of diminishing returns rediminish
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