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

"Secrets diminish self respect," she said, according to the Tribune.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Opponents fear the consolidation would lead to massive layoffs and diminish the quality of programming that Warner Bros.,

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

This year’s roughly 80% surge in oil prices has done little to diminish demand for crude globally.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

But he also called on "everyone decent in this country to open their eyes to Jewish pain, Jewish suffering and Jewish fear", saying "far too many people in this country diminish" antisemitism.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

“Listen to me. I do not mean to diminish the importance of a graduation party in a girl’s life—but I will say that what you came here to do is so much more important.”

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

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