Reduce

/rɪˈdjuːs/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To make smaller in size, amount, or degree.

We need to reduce the amount of plastic waste we produce.

To decrease in quantity or intensity.

The company aims to reduce emissions by 20% over the next five years.

To cause (something) to be less in size or importance.

The therapist helped her learn how to reduce her anxiety.

To simplify or condense; to bring to a more basic form.

He tried to reduce the complex problem into simpler parts.

To diminish or lessen; to decrease.

Eating healthy foods can help reduce the risk of various diseases.

From Latin 'reducere', meaning 'bring back'.

reduce to

To simplify or condense something to its essential elements.

reduce the risk

To lessen the chance of something undesirable occurring.

reduce costs

To lower expenses in a budget.

reduction

The act of making something smaller or less.

reductive

Tending to reduce something, often oversimplifying.

reducible

Capable of being reduced.

Slim down

I need to slim down before summer starts.

Cut back

We're going to cut back on expenses next month.