reduce
gb/ɹɪdˈus/ us/ɹɪdˈus/
A2
English
~ 600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Make something smaller or less
To make something less in size, number, or amount.
Usage pattern:
to reduce [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reduce' with 'remove'. 'Reduce' means to make smaller, not to eliminate completely.
Synonyms
decrease (Very close in meaning; often interchangeable in neutral contexts.)
Antonyms
increase (Opposite in meaning; to make something greater in amount or size.)
Collocations
reduce costs
|reduce waste
|reduce risk
|reduce speed
|reduce emissions
Themes
daily life
|business
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company plans to reduce its workforce by 10%.
- We need to reduce the amount of sugar in our diet.
- The government is working to reduce air pollution.
- She reduced her spending after losing her job.
Learner examples
- I want to reduce my weight.
- They will reduce the price.
- We must reduce waste at home.
- He reduced the speed of the car.
Verb
B1
action
2
Lower level or intensity
To make something less strong or less loud.
Usage pattern:
to reduce [level/intensity]
Synonyms
diminish (Slightly more formal; can imply gradual decrease.)
Antonyms
increase (To raise the level or intensity of something.)
Collocations
reduce heat
|reduce stress
|reduce noise
Themes
daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes.
- Meditation can help reduce stress.
- They installed panels to reduce noise from the street.
Learner examples
- Please reduce the heat on the stove.
- Exercise can reduce stress.
- We need to reduce noise in the library.
Verb
B2
action
3
Bring to weaker state
To make someone or something weaker or less able than before.
Usage pattern:
to reduce [someone/something] to [state]
Synonyms
degrade (Often implies moral or social lowering as well.)
Antonyms
elevate (To raise someone or something to a better state.)
Collocations
reduce someone to tears
|reduce a city to ruins
Themes
emotions
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The bombing reduced the city to rubble.
- His rude comments reduced her to tears.
- The illness reduced him to a shadow of his former self.
Learner examples
- The fire reduced the house to ashes.
- Her words reduced him to tears.
- The war reduced the town to ruins.
Verb
technical
B1
action
4
Cook liquid until thicker
In cooking, to heat a liquid until some water goes away and it becomes thicker.
Usage pattern:
to reduce [liquid/sauce]
Synonyms
concentrate (General term for making a liquid stronger; not specific to cooking.)
Antonyms
dilute (To make a liquid weaker by adding water or another liquid.)
Collocations
reduce a sauce
|reduce stock
Themes
food
|cooking
|food_drink
Examples
- Reduce the sauce over low heat until it thickens.
- The chef reduced the stock for an hour before serving.
- You can reduce the wine to intensify its flavor.
Learner examples
- Reduce the soup until it is thick.
- The chef will reduce the sauce.
- Boil the juice to reduce it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reduce
IPA
GB/ɹɪdˈus/
US/ɹɪdˈus/
Syllables & stress
re - duce (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (duce)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: reduce
- 3rd Person Singular: reduces
- Present Participle: reducing
- Past: reduced
Word family
Expressions
reduce by half
1/ɹɪdˈus bˈaɪ hˈæf/
fixed phrase
Make something half as much
To make something 50% smaller in amount or size.
Examples
- Reduce the recipe by half if you are cooking for two.
- They managed to reduce their energy use by half.
reduce speed
1/ɹɪdˈus spˈid/
fixed phrase
Slow down a vehicle's speed
To make a car, bike, or other vehicle go slower.
Examples
- Drivers should reduce speed in school zones.
- Reduce speed when approaching sharp curves.
reduce to rubble
1/ɹɪdˈus tə ɹˈʌbəl/
idiom
Destroy leaving only rubble
To destroy a building so that only broken pieces remain.
Examples
- The earthquake reduced the entire neighborhood to rubble.
- Bombing raids reduced the factory to rubble.
reduce to tears
1/ɹɪdˈus tə tˈɪɹz/
idiom
Make someone start crying
To make someone cry because of your words or actions.
Examples
- The teacher's harsh criticism reduced the student to tears.
- His cruel joke reduced her to tears.