Decrease: Definitions and Examples

Decrease: Definitions, Formulas, & Examples

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    Introduction

    Decrease refers to a reduction or decline in something. This can refer to a wide range of phenomena, from economic indicators like stock prices or GDP, to environmental factors like population numbers or biodiversity. Understanding why and how decreases occur is important for making informed decisions about how to address them.

    One of the most common types of decrease is a decline in economic indicators. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including changes in government policy, fluctuations in global markets, or shifts in consumer preferences. When a company’s stock price decreases, for example, it may be due to factors such as poor earnings reports or negative publicity. Similarly, a decrease in GDP may result from a variety of factors, such as decreased consumer spending or changes in international trade agreements.

    Another type of decrease that has become increasingly important in recent years is the decline in biodiversity. As human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and climate change have intensified, many species have been driven to the brink of extinction. This can have significant consequences for ecosystems and the services they provide, such as clean air and water. Addressing this decrease requires a multifaceted approach, including protecting critical habitats, reducing pollution, and addressing climate change.

    Decreases can also occur in social and political contexts. For example, a decrease in voter turnout can signal a decline in political engagement or trust in government. Similarly, a decrease in public funding for education or social services can have serious consequences for individuals and communities.

    In some cases, decreases can be intentional, such as when a company decides to reduce its workforce or a government decides to decrease military spending. These types of decreases can have both positive and negative consequences, depending on the context and the specific goals being pursued.

    One important factor to consider when examining decreases is the potential for feedback loops. When one factor decreases, it can set off a chain reaction that leads to further decreases. For example, a decrease in biodiversity can lead to a decrease in the number of pollinators, which can in turn lead to a decrease in crop yields. Similarly, a decrease in public funding for education can lead to a decrease in educational outcomes, which can lead to decreased economic opportunities and reduced social mobility.

    To address decreases effectively, it is important to understand the underlying causes and to take a holistic approach. This may involve addressing root causes such as systemic inequalities, implementing policies that encourage sustainable practices, or investing in education and infrastructure. It may also involve collaboration across sectors and disciplines, as well as engaging with affected communities to ensure that solutions are equitable and effective.

    Ultimately, decreases are a natural part of life and can often be an opportunity for growth and transformation. By understanding why and how decreases occur, and by taking proactive steps to address them, we can create a more resilient and sustainable future.

    Definitions

    Decrease is a verb that means to make something smaller or to reduce its amount or intensity. It is the opposite of increase, which means to make something larger. Decrease can also be a noun that refers to the amount or extent by which something has been reduced or made smaller.

    There are many different ways in which decrease can be used. Here are some common examples:

    • Decrease in temperature: This refers to a reduction in the amount of heat in a particular environment. It can be caused by various factors, such as a change in weather conditions, the movement of air, or the absence of sunlight.
    • Decrease in sales: This refers to a reduction in the amount of goods or services that are being sold by a company. It can be caused by various factors, such as a decrease in demand, an increase in competition, or a change in consumer preferences.
    • Decrease in population: This refers to a reduction in the number of people living in a particular area. It can be caused by various factors, such as migration, war, disease, or natural disasters.
    • Decrease in productivity: This refers to a reduction in the amount of work that can be done by a person or a group of people. It can be caused by various factors, such as a lack of motivation, poor working conditions, or insufficient resources.
    • Decrease in quality: This refers to a reduction in the standard or level of something. It can be caused by various factors, such as a lack of attention to detail, poor materials, or insufficient training.

    Examples

    • Decrease in temperature: In winter, the temperature decreases, making it colder outside. This decrease in temperature can affect many things, such as the way we dress, our energy bills, and the way we travel.
    • Decrease in sales: A clothing store that used to sell 500 items a week may see a decrease in sales to 300 items a week due to a new competitor in the market or an economic recession. The decrease in sales can lead to a decrease in revenue, which can have a significant impact on the business.
    • Decrease in population: In some countries, the birth rate has decreased, leading to a decrease in the population. This can have several implications, such as a decrease in the workforce, a decrease in economic growth, and a decrease in the number of taxpayers.
    • Decrease in productivity: If an employee is not feeling motivated or is overworked, their productivity may decrease. This can lead to a decrease in the quality of work and can affect the overall performance of the team.
    • Decrease in quality: A manufacturer that cuts corners and uses cheaper materials to reduce costs may experience a decrease in the quality of their products. This can lead to a decrease in customer satisfaction, which can affect the reputation and profitability of the company.

    Causes of Decrease

    There are many different causes of decrease, depending on the context. Some common causes include:

    • Economic factors: Economic recessions, changes in consumer demand, and increased competition can lead to a decrease in sales and revenue for businesses.
    • Environmental factors: Natural disasters, climate change, and pollution can lead to a decrease in the quality of the environment and can affect the health and well-being of living organisms.

    Quiz

    1. What does it mean when something decreases? A. It gets bigger B. It gets smaller C. It stays the same
    2. Which of the following is an example of something that might decrease over time? A. The number of people at a concert B. The height of a building C. The temperature of an oven
    3. If the price of a product decreases, what is likely to happen to demand for that product? A. Demand will increase B. Demand will decrease C. Demand will stay the same
    4. What is the opposite of decrease? A. Increase B. Stay the same C. None of the above
    5. If the value of a stock decreases, what is likely to happen to the value of an investor’s portfolio? A. It will increase B. It will decrease C. It will stay the same
    6. If a company’s profits decrease, what might be a consequence of this? A. The company may have to lay off employees B. The company may see an increase in sales C. The company’s stock price will increase
    7. Which of the following is an example of something that might experience a gradual decrease? A. The temperature of a boiling pot of water B. The size of a balloon being popped C. The amount of gasoline in a car’s tank
    8. If a person’s weight decreases, what is likely to happen to their overall health? A. It will improve B. It will decline C. It will stay the same
    9. Which of the following is an example of something that might decrease due to natural erosion? A. The height of a mountain B. The width of a river C. The length of a coastline
    10. If a government decreases funding for education, what is likely to happen to the quality of education in that country? A. It will improve B. It will decline C. It will stay the same

    Answers:

    1. B. It gets smaller
    2. A. The number of people at a concert
    3. A. Demand will increase
    4. A. Increase
    5. B. It will decrease
    6. A. The company may have to lay off employees
    7. C. The amount of gasoline in a car’s tank
    8. A. It will improve
    9. C. The length of a coastline
    10. B. It will decline

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    Decrease:

    Definitions

    1 | noun | a change downward
2 | noun | a process of becoming smaller or shorter
3 | noun | the amount by which something decreases
4 | noun | the act of decreasing or reducing something
5 | verb | decrease in size, extent, or range
6 | verb | make smaller
(6 meanings)

    Pronunciation

    dikr'ees (IPA: dɪkrˈis)

    Hyphenation

    de-crease (8 letters | 2 syllables)

    First known use in English

    1383 (Late Middle ages) (642 years ago)

    Word origins

    Old French | Latin

    Word frequency history

    Word frequency history

    Inflected forms

    decreases | decreased | decreasing

    Synonyms

    drop-off | lessening | decrement | diminution | reduction | step-down | diminish | fall | lessen | minify (total: 10)

    Antonyms

    increase | growth

    Narrower terms

    attrition | casualty | dwindling | dwindling away | shrinkage | shrinking | sinking | waning | decay | decline | desensitisation | desensitization | diminution | narrowing | slippage | ... (total: 129)

    Broader terms

    alteration | change | modification | physical process | process | amount | change of magnitude | change magnitude | alter | modify (total: 10)

    Rhymes

    apiece | caprice | cease | cerise | crease | decease | fleece | gees | grease | increase | lease | niece | obese | peace | piece | ... (total: 17)
(based on typical American pronunciation)

    Lexically close words

    degrease

    Anagrams

    (none among common words)

    Translations

    Mandarin Chinese: | 減少 (verb)
Hindi: | घटना (verb)
Arabic: | يَنقُص (verb)
Spanish: | disminución (general) | recorte (cutback) | corte (cutback) | reducción (cutback) | disminución (diminution) | reducción (diminution) | aminoración (diminution) | decremento (diminution) | desvanecerse (hope) | disminuir (sound) | bajar (sound) | disminuir (abate) | mermar (abate) | reducir (abate) | recortar (cut back) | acortar (cut back) | reducir (cut back) | bajar (drop off) | disminuir (drop off) | decrecer (drop off) | ir a menos (drop off)
French: | diminution (general) | réduction (cutback) | diminution (cutback) | restriction (cutback) | diminution (diminution) | réduction (diminution) | décroissance (diminution) | baisse (diminution) | s'évanouir (hope) | s'affaiblir (hope) | disparaître graduellement (hope) | décroître (hope) | diminuer (sound) | diminuer (abate) | faiblir (abate) | s'amoindrir (abate) | s'apaiser (abate) | réduire (cut back) | restreindre (cut back) | diminuer (drop off) | décroître (drop off)

    Other notable uses

    decrease.com | decrease.info | decrease.biz

    Crossword puzzle clues

    Cut | Slash, in a way
(based on all New York Times crossword puzzles 1994 to 2009)

    Scrabble score

    11 (International English) | 11 (North American English)

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