downsize
to design or manufacture a smaller version or type of: The automotive industry downsized its cars for improved fuel economy.
to reduce in size or number; cut back: Many small businesses are forced to downsize their workforce during a slow economy.
to dismiss (an employee); lay off or fire: After I was downsized from my marketing position, I took to substitute teaching to make a little money.
to become smaller in size or number: The military is downsizing— reducing overseas deployments—and as a result is spending less on supplies.
to move into a smaller residence: Retirees are downsizing these days, giving up oversized and empty nests for apartments that are easier to care for.
Also down·sized . being of a smaller size or version: a downsize car.
Origin of downsize
1Words Nearby downsize
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use downsize in a sentence
Her family — two children, her parents, her sister, and two nieces — downsized to a two-bedroom apartment after she lost her wages working at a college cafeteria.
The racial disparities over who is returning to D.C. classrooms puts equity spotlight on reopening plan | Perry Stein | January 31, 2021 | Washington Post“Legacy List” — “keep the memories, lose the stuff” — travels to the homes of people who are downsizing or moving.
How downsizing expert Matt Paxton helps Americans sort through their stuff | Jura Koncius | January 21, 2021 | Washington PostMany downsized or rescheduled, sometimes for months or a year later.
Six years later, a new Smithsonian administration has jettisoned the eye-popping elements of the $2 billion design by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, opting instead for a dramatically downsized version.
Smithsonian abandons $2 billion expansion plan unveiled in 2014 | Peggy McGlone | January 11, 2021 | Washington PostThat money, it turns out, goes a long way when many other teams are downsizing.
With deep pockets, grand ambition, new Mets owner swings blockbuster deal for Francisco Lindor | Dave Sheinin | January 7, 2021 | Washington Post
downsize Fitness, a Chicago-based, overweight-only gym, is upsizing in a hurry.
Downsize Fitness, the Gym for Overweight Members Only | Daniel Gross | October 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTBut downsize Fitness, which requires members to be overweight, plans to make a profit by creating community.
Downsize Fitness, the Gym for Overweight Members Only | Daniel Gross | October 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTdownsize wants to grow by opening gyms under its own name and ownership, rather than selling franchises and licenses.
Downsize Fitness, the Gym for Overweight Members Only | Daniel Gross | October 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTdownsize has combined these three insights into a new business model.
Downsize Fitness, the Gym for Overweight Members Only | Daniel Gross | October 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTTo join downsize, members must have at least 50 pounds of weight to lose.
Downsize Fitness, the Gym for Overweight Members Only | Daniel Gross | October 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
British Dictionary definitions for downsize
/ (ˈdaʊnˌsaɪz) /
to reduce the operating costs of a company by reducing the number of people it employs
to reduce the size of or produce a smaller version of (something)
to upgrade (a computer system) by replacing a mainframe or minicomputer with a network of microcomputers: Compare rightsize
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for downsize
To reduce in number, especially personnel: “The company decided to downsize half the workers in the aircraft division.” It can also be used in reference to objects: “I decided to downsize my wardrobe and threw out all my old T-shirts.”
Notes for downsize
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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