reduce

/ri'dju:s/
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reduce

The chef reduces the sauce by simmering it in a pan.

Definition
  1. Verb (transitive and intransitive):
    • To make something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size: The core meaning involves decreasing the quantity, intensity, or scale of something.
    • To bring something to a simpler or more basic state: This involves breaking down or converting something into a different, often more fundamental, form.
    • To lower someone in rank, status, or condition: To force someone into a humbler, weaker, or less dignified position.
    • To lose body weight: To become thinner or lighter (intransitive use).
Examples of Usage

  • Transitive Verb (making smaller/less):

    • The company plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 50%.
    • Please reduce the volume of the music.
    • She tried to reduce her daily sugar intake.

  • Transitive Verb (bringing to a simpler state):

    • The chef reduced the sauce by simmering it for an hour.
    • We can reduce the problem to two main issues.

  • Transitive Verb (lowering in status):

    • The scandal reduced him to a figure of ridicule.
    • The army reduced the captured officer to the ranks.

  • Intransitive Verb (losing weight):

    • He has been exercising and dieting to reduce.
Advanced Usage

  • "reduce something to ashes/rubble": To destroy something completely.

    • The fire reduced the historic building to ashes.

  • "reduce someone to tears/silence": To make someone so upset or shocked that they cry or become silent.

    • The harsh criticism reduced the young performer to tears.

  • "boil down to" (a related phrasal idiom meaning to be summarized as): While not using "reduce" directly, it conveys a similar sense of simplification.

    • The long debate boils down to a question of cost.
Variants and Related Words

  • Reduction (n): The act or process of making something smaller or less.

    • The reduction in staff was necessary for the company's survival.

  • Reducer (n): A person or thing that reduces.

    • A noise reducer was installed in the engine.

  • Reducible (adj): Capable of being reduced.

    • The fraction 4/8 is reducible to 1/2.
Synonyms
  • Decrease: To become or make less in size, amount, intensity, or degree.
  • Diminish: To make or become less.
  • Lessen: To reduce in size, extent, or degree.
  • Lower: To cause to move down or become less in amount, value, or quality.
  • Cut (down/back): To reduce the amount, number, or size of something.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Reduce to:
    • The economic crisis reduced many families to poverty. (To bring to a specified, usually worse, state)
    • The chapter can be reduced to a few key points. (To summarize or simplify into)
Related Idioms

  • Reduce one's circumstances: To become poorer or less prosperous.

    • After the business failed, they found themselves in reduced circumstances.

  • Reduce the heat/temperature (figurative): To make a situation less tense or intense.

    • The mediator tried to reduce the heat in the negotiations.
reduce

The chef reduces the sauce by simmering it in a pan.

Verb
  1. take off weight
  2. lessen the strength or flavor of a solution or mixture
    • cut bourbon
  3. cook until very little liquid is left
    • The cook reduced the sauce by boiling it for a long time
  4. be cooked until very little liquid is left
    • The sauce should reduce to one cup
  5. reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
    • The manuscript must be shortened
  6. destress and thus weaken a sound when pronouncing it
  7. reposition (a broken bone after surgery) back to its normal site
  8. undergo meiosis
    • The cells reduce
  9. put down by force or intimidation
    • The government quashes any attempt of an uprising
    • China keeps down her dissidents very efficiently
    • The rich landowners subjugated the peasants working the land
  10. narrow or limit
    • reduce the influx of foreigners
  11. to remove oxygen from a compound, or cause to react with hydrogen or form a hydride, or to undergo an increase in the number of electrons
  12. make smaller
    • reduce an image
  13. lessen and make more modest
    • reduce one's standard of living
  14. reduce in size; reduce physically
    • Hot water will shrink the sweater
    • Can you shrink this image?
  15. be the essential element
    • The proposal boils down to a compromise
  16. lower in grade or rank or force somebody into an undignified situation
    • She reduced her niece to a servant
  17. simplify the form of a mathematical equation of expression by substituting one term for another
  18. bring to humbler or weaker state or condition
    • He reduced the population to slavery
  19. make less complex
    • reduce a problem to a single question
  20. cut down on; make a reduction in
    • reduce your daily fat intake
    • The employer wants to cut back health benefits

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