reduce

Where “reduce” sits in English frequency

Definition

1. 1
   To bring down the size, quantity, quality, value or intensity of something; to diminish, to lower.
2. 2
   To lose weight.
3. 3
   To bring to an inferior rank; to degrade, to demote.
4. 4
   To humble; to conquer; to subdue; to capture.
5. 5
   To bring to an inferior state or condition.
6. 6
   To be forced by circumstances (into something one considers unworthy).
7. 7
   To decrease the liquid content of (a food) by boiling much of its water off.
8. 8
   To add electrons / hydrogen or to remove oxygen.
9. 9
   To produce metal from ore by removing nonmetallic elements in a smelter.
10. 10
    To simplify an equation or formula without changing its value.
11. 11
    To express the solution of a problem in terms of another (known) algorithm.
12. 12
    To convert a syllogism to a clearer or simpler form.
13. 13
    To convert to written form. (Usage note: this verb almost always appears as "reduce to writing".)
14. 14
    To perform a reduction; to restore a fracture or dislocation to the correct alignment.
15. 15
    To reform a line or column from (a square).
16. 16
    To strike off the payroll.
17. 17
    To annul by legal means.
18. 18
    To pronounce (a sound or word) with less effort.
19. 19
    To translate (a book, document, etc.).

Etymology

From Middle English reducen, from Old French reduire, from Latin redūcō (“reduce”); from re- (“back”) + dūcō (“lead”). See duke, and compare with redoubt.

This word in other languages

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: erduce,rdeuce,redcue,redduce,reducce,reduec,reudce,rreduce

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of reduce - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

Frequently Asked Questions