B2 verb خنثی #6,234 رایج‌ترین 1 دقیقه مطالعه

diminish

/dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/

Diminish means to reduce in size, strength, importance, or intensity.

واژه در 30 ثانیه

  • To make or become smaller or less.
  • Used for size, intensity, value, or importance.
  • Neutral to formal, common in writing.

Overview

The word 'diminish' is a versatile verb used to describe a process of reduction or lessening. It can refer to a decrease in physical size, such as a swelling that diminishes over time, or a reduction in abstract qualities like importance, power, or intensity. For instance, a leader's influence might diminish, or the intensity of a storm could diminish as it moves inland.

Usage Patterns

'Diminish' is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal word. It is commonly found in written English, particularly in news reports, academic texts, and formal discussions. While it can be used in spoken English, more informal synonyms like 'decrease,' 'lessen,' or 'go down' might be preferred in casual conversation. The verb can be used transitively (to diminish something) or intransitively (something diminishes).

Common Contexts

In a professional or business setting, 'diminish' might be used to describe a decrease in profits, market share, or a company's reputation. In academic contexts, it could refer to a reduction in the scope of a study or the impact of a phenomenon. In everyday life, one might talk about their energy diminishing after a long day, or the sound of music diminishing as a door is closed.

مثال‌ها

1

The swelling in her ankle began to diminish after a few days of rest.

daily life

肿胀在她脚踝开始减轻在几天的休息后。

2

His influence in the company started to diminish when the new CEO arrived.

business

他在公司的影响力开始减弱,当新CEO到来时。

3

We hope the harsh criticism will diminish as people learn more about the project.

formal

我们希望严厉的批评会减少,随着人们了解更多关于这个项目。

4

The sound of the train diminished as it moved further away from the station.

everyday

火车的噪音减弱了,因为它离车站越来越远。

5

The research indicated that the effectiveness of the drug could diminish over prolonged use.

academic

研究表明,这种药物的有效性可能会在长期使用中减弱。

6

Don't let minor setbacks diminish your overall enthusiasm.

informal

不要让小的挫折削弱你整体的热情。

مترادف‌ها

decrease reduce lessen dwindle decline shrink

ترکیب‌های رایج

diminish rapidly 迅速减弱
diminish gradually 逐渐减弱
diminish the impact 减弱影响
diminish the value 降低价值
diminish in importance 重要性降低
diminish hope 希望渺茫

عبارات رایج

diminish in significance

意义减弱

diminish the risk

降低风险

اغلب اشتباه گرفته می‌شود با

diminish vs decrease

'Decrease' is a more general term for becoming smaller or fewer in number or amount. 'Diminish' often carries a connotation of losing significance, power, or intensity, and can imply a more gradual or qualitative reduction.

diminish vs reduce

'Reduce' is typically a transitive verb, meaning to actively make something smaller or less. 'Diminish' can be transitive (make smaller) or intransitive (become smaller), and often focuses on the lessening of quality, intensity, or importance.

الگوهای دستوری

Subject + diminish + Object (transitive): The harsh weather diminished their hopes. Subject + diminish (intransitive): His strength began to diminish. diminish + in + Noun (e.g., importance, value): The project diminished in importance. diminish + the + Noun (e.g., impact, effect): We tried to diminish the negative effects.

How to Use It

نکات کاربردی

Use 'diminish' when you want to emphasize a reduction in size, intensity, importance, or value. It works both when something actively makes another thing smaller (transitive) and when something naturally becomes smaller on its own (intransitive).


اشتباهات رایج

Learners sometimes confuse 'diminish' with 'decrease' or 'reduce,' using it in contexts where a simpler term might be more appropriate, or failing to recognize its intransitive use. Ensure you understand whether something is actively being made smaller or is naturally becoming less.

Tips

💡

Think 'less'

Remember that 'diminish' always involves becoming less in some way – size, quantity, intensity, or importance.

⚠️

Avoid overuse in speech

While correct, 'diminish' can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider synonyms like 'decrease' or 'lessen' for more relaxed contexts.

🌍

Economic impact

In economic discussions, 'diminish' is often used to describe a reduction in value, profit, or market share, highlighting potential negative financial consequences.

ریشه کلمه

From Middle English 'diminisshen', derived from Old French 'diminiss-', 'diminuer', ultimately from the Latin verb 'minuere', meaning 'to lessen' or 'make small'.

بافت فرهنگی

In many cultures, a diminishing resource or influence is seen as a cause for concern, potentially leading to conflict or societal change. The concept is often explored in literature and historical accounts.

راهنمای حفظ

Imagine a 'mini' version of something. 'Diminish' sounds like 'dimin-ish,' making something 'dimin' (small).

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

'Decrease' is a more general term for becoming smaller or fewer. 'Diminish' often implies a loss of value, importance, or intensity, and can suggest a gradual process.

Yes, 'diminish' is frequently used for abstract concepts like power, influence, hope, or significance.

It's generally neutral, but often implies a negative outcome as it suggests a loss or reduction of something that was previously present or desirable.

Opposites include 'increase,' 'grow,' 'expand,' 'augment,' or 'enhance.'

Not necessarily. It can refer to a slight or gradual reduction, or a significant one, depending on the context.

For example: 'His enthusiasm for the project began to diminish as he encountered more obstacles.'

It means that it makes the value of that thing less or reduces its perceived worth.

It can be both. 'The rain diminished the crowd's enthusiasm' (transitive) vs. 'The crowd's enthusiasm diminished' (intransitive).

Yes, for example: 'The swelling in his ankle began to diminish after a few days.'

The noun form is 'diminution'.

خودت رو بسنج

fill blank

The bright sunlight began to ______ as clouds gathered.

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: diminish

'Diminish' means to become less, which fits the context of sunlight fading.

multiple choice

What does 'diminish' mean?

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: To become weaker or less

The core meaning of 'diminish' is to reduce in size, strength, or importance.

sentence building

effects / diminish / the / over / time / will

درسته! نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: The effects will diminish over time.

This sentence correctly uses 'diminish' to indicate that the effects will become less significant as time passes.

امتیاز: /3

Related Content

واژه‌های بیشتر academic

ambiguous

C1

Describes language, data, or situations that are open to more than one interpretation and lack a single, clear meaning. It is frequently used to identify statements that are vague or confusing because they could be understood in multiple ways.

analyze

B2

To examine something methodically and in detail, typically in order to explain and interpret it. It involves breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts to gain a better understanding of its internal structure and functions.

coherent

C1

Describes a statement, argument, or piece of writing that is clear, logical, and consistently organized. It implies that all separate parts fit together perfectly to form a sensible and understandable whole.

comprehensive

B2

This adjective describes something that is complete and includes all or nearly all elements or aspects of something. It is used to indicate that a study, list, or report covers everything necessary without leaving out important details.

discourse

C1

Discourse refers to the formal and structured exchange of ideas through speech or writing, often within a specific field of study. It encompasses not just the words used, but the underlying social and intellectual frameworks that shape how a topic is discussed.

empirical

C1

Empirical refers to information or knowledge acquired by means of observation or experimentation. It distinguishes claims supported by evidence from those based solely on theory, logic, or speculation.

facilitate

B2

To facilitate means to make an action or a process easier or to help it run more smoothly. It is often used to describe providing the necessary conditions or assistance for a goal to be achieved without taking direct control of the outcome.

inherent

C1

Inherent describes a quality or characteristic that exists as a natural, permanent, and inseparable part of something. It is used to indicate that a feature is built into the very essence of an object, person, or system rather than being added from the outside.

manipulation

C1

Manipulation refers to the skillful handling or controlling of something, often a physical object or data. In a social or psychological context, it often implies influencing others in a clever or unscrupulous way to serve one's own interests.

methodology

C1

A methodology is a systematic and theoretical analysis of the methods applied to a field of study or an activity. it encompasses the body of methods, principles, and rules used by a discipline to solve problems or conduct research.

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