# decrease

> English word · Verb · IPA /dɪˈkɹiːs/ · frequency rank #5,411

## Definitions
1. Of a quantity, to become smaller.
2. To make (a quantity) smaller.

## Etymology
From Middle English decresen, alteration of discresen, from Anglo-Norman, Old French descreistre (French: décroître), from Latin decrescere.

## Easily confused with
- **decree** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decrease-vs-decree)
- **decrees** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decrease-vs-decrees)
- **deceased** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deceased-vs-decrease)

## Common misspellings (11)
`dcerease`, `ddecrease`, `deccrease`, `decerase`, `decraese`, `decreaes`, `decreasse`, `decresae`, `decrrease`, `dercease`, `edcrease`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/decrease