diminish

American  

[dih-min-ish] / dɪˈmɪn ɪʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to make or cause to seem smaller, less, less important, etc.; lessen; reduce.

2. Architecture. to give (a column) a form tapering inward from bottom to top.

3. Music. to make (an interval) smaller by a chromatic half step than the corresponding perfect or minor interval.

4. to detract from the authority, honor, stature, or reputation of; disparage.

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verb (used without object)

1. to lessen; decrease.

diminish British  

/ dɪˈmɪnɪʃ /

verb

1. to make or become smaller, fewer, or less

2. (tr) architect to cause (a column, etc) to taper

3. (tr) music to decrease (a minor or perfect interval) by a semitone

4. to belittle or be belittled; reduce in authority, status, etc; depreciate

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Usage

What does diminish mean? To diminish is to become smaller, fewer, or less, as in If we don’t order more, our stock of supplies will slowly diminish until we run out completely. It can also mean to make smaller, fewer, or less, as in We need to diminish our reliance on fossil fuels. Close synonyms of these senses of diminish are reduce, decrease, and lessen. Diminish can also be used in less literal ways. It can mean to make something seem smaller or less significant, as in The senator tried to diminish his role in the scandal. The verb downplay is used in a similar way. To diminish a person is to reduce or take away from their stature, reputation, or authority in some way—to belittle or disparage them, as in The new tell-all book is clearly an attempt to diminish a man who is regarded as a legend in his field. Example: My interest in sports has diminished since I was a kid—I’m only a casual fan now.

Related Words

See decrease.

Other Word Forms

• diminishable adjective
• diminishingly adverb
• diminishment noun
• nondiminishing adjective
• prediminish verb (used with object)
• prediminishment noun
• undiminishable adjective
• undiminishableness noun
• undiminishably adverb
• undiminished adjective
• undiminishing adjective

Etymology

Origin of diminish

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; blend of diminuen (from Anglo-French diminuer, from Medieval Latin dīminuere, from Latin dēminuere “to make smaller”) and minishen minish

Explanation

Diminish means to make smaller or lesser. If you cover a lightbulb with a dark lamp shade, the light from the lamp will diminish. It can also mean become less important. Once the light has been dimmed, its role in lighting the room is diminished. If you look at diminish, you see 'minis' which comes from the Latin word minus, as in subtraction. Other words that share this root are miniature and minuscule, all of which mean something that is small, or at least smallish.

Example Sentences

For some, it appeared to be designed to diminish the Pope's opposition to the war.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Secondly, you stack up more technical fouls and diminish your superstar reputation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

The software sector in general has been weighed down by fears that AI will diminish the need for traditional software.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Being closer, or watching from the air, doesn’t diminish the awe one feels watching the waves, and the bodies within them, careering toward the Portuguese beach.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The key aim is to diminish an animal’s flight distance, which is the minimum distance at which an animal wants to keep a perceived enemy.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Related Words

• abate
• curtail
• decline
• decrease
• dwindle
• ebb
• lessen
• lower
• recede
• reduce
• shrink
• slacken
• subside
• temper
• wane
• weaken