reduce
reduce
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "reduce" is /rɪˈdʒuːs/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
re-: /rɪ/
/r/ as in "red"
/ɪ/ as in "bit"
-duce: /dʒuːs/
/dʒ/ as in "judge"
/uː/ as in "food"
/s/ as in "say"
Word Form Variations
reduce (verb, present tense): I reduce the amount of waste.
reduces (verb, third-person singular present tense): He reduces the amount of waste.
reduced (verb, past tense and past participle): They reduced the amount of waste.
reducing (verb, present participle): She is reducing the amount of waste.
reduction (noun): The reduction in waste is significant.
reductions (noun, plural): We saw several reductions in price.
reducible (adjective): The costs are reducible.
reducibility (noun): The reducibility of the costs is being assessed.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb:
Definition: To make something smaller in size, amount, degree, or intensity. To bring something down to a lesser state.
Synonyms: decrease, diminish, lessen, lower, curtail, shrink, minimize, abate, alleviate, mitigate.
Antonyms: increase, enlarge, expand, augment, amplify, enhance, intensify, magnify, extend.
Example: We need to reduce our carbon footprint.
Noun:
Definition: The act or process of making something smaller or less. A lessening or decrease. (Less commonly, a result of reducing).
Synonyms: decrease, diminution, lessening, decline, curtailment, shrinkage, moderation, abatement.
Antonyms: increase, enlargement, expansion, augmentation, amplification, enhancement.
Example: The reduction in price was welcome.
Adjective:
Definition: Capable of being reduced; able to be lessened or decreased. (Less common, and often used as "reducible").
Synonyms: diminishable, lessenable, shrinkable, curtailable.
Antonyms: increasable, expandable, augmentable.
Example: These costs are reducible with careful planning. (More common: These costs are reducible.)
Adverb:
While "reduce" itself isn't used as an adverb, you might use related words like "reducedly" (rare) or phrases like "by reducing." It's more common to use other adverbs to modify "reduce" (e.g., "significantly reduce").
Example: We can significantly reduce waste by recycling. (Not: We can reducedly reduce waste.) Instead of a direct adverbial form of "reduce," use another adverb, or a phrase with "reducing."
Examples of Use
Books:
"To make our own money go as far as possible, we must reduce our expenses." (From The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey - This example demonstrates a common usage in personal finance literature.)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"Companies are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact." (A common phrase in news articles about business and sustainability. You'll find countless examples in publications like the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian.)
"The city council announced plans to reduce traffic congestion." (A typical headline or sentence in local news reporting. Search any local news website for similar examples.)
"Scientists are exploring new methods to reduce the risk of wildfires." (Frequently seen in science and environmental news. Publications like Nature, Science, and National Geographic often feature such uses.)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"They need to reduce the number of episodes in this season." (A common discussion point among TV viewers and critics on online forums and social media like Reddit, Twitter, and Facebook.)
"The chef demonstrated how to reduce a sauce." (A frequent term used in cooking shows and videos on platforms like YouTube and dedicated streaming services.)
"The game's developers announced a patch to reduce lag." (A common term used in gaming communities and patch notes for video games.)
General Public Discourse:
"We're trying to reduce our sugar intake." (A common statement in everyday conversations about health and diet.)
"I need to reduce the amount of time I spend on my phone." (A frequent topic of discussion in relation to productivity and mental well-being.)
"Let's try to reduce stress by taking a walk." (A common suggestion for self-care and relaxation.)
Specific Examples (though sources are constantly updated):
A search on Google News for "reduce inflation" will yield numerous current examples from reputable news sources worldwide.
Many academic journals (e.g., The Lancet, JAMA) frequently use "reduce" in articles related to health and medicine (e.g., "reduce blood pressure," "reduce the risk of disease").
10 Famous Quotes Using Reduce
"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. Reduce, reuse, recycle." — Native American Proverb (popularized in environmental movements)
"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often. To reduce error is the first step toward wisdom." — Winston Churchill (paraphrased)
"The purpose of computation is not numbers but insight; to reduce complexity to clarity." — Richard Hamming
"The first duty of society is justice; to reduce injustice is to secure peace." — Thomas Jefferson (paraphrased)
"In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity. Reduce everything to its essentials." — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"The goal of science is to reduce the complicated to the simple without losing the essence." — Albert Einstein
"The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival. Reduce haste, increase thought." — Aristotle
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. To reduce our footprint is to increase our harmony." — John Muir (adapted from writings)
"You must reduce your wants to increase your freedom." — Seneca
"The best way to reduce temptation is to avoid it altogether." — Mark Twain
Etymology
The word "reduce" comes from Latin, specifically the word reducere. Think of it like this:
re-: This is a prefix meaning "back" or "again." Like in "return" or "repay."
ducere: This means "to lead" or "to bring." Think of "duct" (like a pipe that leads something) or "duke" (originally a leader).
So, if you put them together, reducere literally means "to lead back" or "to bring back."
How did that turn into our modern meaning of "reduce"? Well, imagine something being "brought back" to a smaller size, a simpler state, or a lower amount. That's the core idea. You're essentially "bringing it back" to a previous, less substantial form.
The first known use of "reduce" in English was in the late 14th century. Back then, it had a broader range of meanings, including "to bring back," "to restore," and even "to subdue." Over time, the meaning of "to lessen" or "to diminish" became the dominant one.
So, in a nutshell, "reduce" comes from Latin words meaning "to lead back," and its meaning evolved from this idea of bringing something back to a smaller or lesser state. It's been used in English since the late 1300s, initially with a wider range of meanings before settling into its current primary meaning of lessening or decreasing.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Reduce
Common Phrases:
Reduce costs/expenses/spending: This is a very common phrase in business and personal finance.
Reduce the risk/danger/threat: Used in discussions of safety, security, and problem-solving.
Reduce your carbon footprint: A common phrase in environmental discussions.
Reduce weight/calories/fat: Used in the context of health and fitness.
Reduce stress/anxiety: Relates to mental health and well-being.
Reduce speed/pace: Used in driving, running, or other activities involving motion.
Reduce the size/amount/number: A general phrase applicable to many situations.
Reduce noise/pollution: Used in discussions of environmental or quality-of-life issues.
Less Common/Original Phrasing (with explanations):
Reduce to rubble/ashes/dust: While not an idiom, this phrasing emphasizes the extent of the reduction, implying complete destruction.
Reduce to its essence: This phrase suggests stripping something down to its most basic and fundamental elements.
Reduce to silence: This implies bringing something to a complete stop, often used metaphorically.
Reduce the noise within: This is a more metaphorical phrase, suggesting quieting one's inner thoughts or anxieties.
Reduce the clutter of the mind: Similar to the previous one, this refers to mental decluttering.
Reduce the distance between us: This phrase refers to closing a gap, either physical or emotional.
Why few idioms with "reduce":
The reason there aren't many common idioms with "reduce" is that it's already a fairly precise and direct verb. Idioms often arise to express concepts in a more colorful or figurative way, but "reduce" is already quite clear in its meaning.
Phrases with Synonyms (for similar effect):
Since "reduce" doesn't have many idioms, looking at synonyms can be helpful. Here are some idioms using words like "cut," "lessen," "diminish," or "lower" that capture a similar sense of reduction:
Cut corners: (Meaning to do something poorly in order to save time or money)
Cut back on: (Meaning to reduce consumption or spending)
Lessen the blow: (Meaning to make a negative event less severe)
Diminish in importance: (Meaning to become less significant)
Lower the bar: (Meaning to make something easier to achieve)
While these don't use "reduce" directly, they express related ideas of decreasing or lessening something.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of reduce from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
