单词 | thesaurus/articles/fact-of-getting-smaller-or-becoming-less |
释义 | Thesaurus article:the fact of getting smaller or becoming lessthe fact of getting smaller or becoming lessThese words are used to refer to the fact that something is getting smaller in number, weight, value, etc. One of the most common words for this isdecrease. There has been a steady decrease in the number of visitors. Stock prices have decreased by 3% in the last quarter. The opposite ofdecreaseisincrease. There has been an increase in noise complaints since the building started. For more opposites ofdecrease, see the article atincrease. When talking about prices, levels, and amounts in particular, you can use the nounsfall,fall-off, orfalling-offto describe a decrease. These words are common in writing, especially in business contexts. A fall in the price of petrol is unlikely. There's been a sharp fall-off in demand for the product since the company's scandal broke. There has been a slight falling-off in public sector employment growth. The opposite offallisrise. There has been a sharp rise in home sales this month. You can talk about adropin value, weight, level, or the number of something.Dropis usually singular in this use. We are expecting a sharp drop in temperatures overnight. The worddeclineis used broadly to describe a decrease in quality, strength, importance, or amount. It implies that something is getting worse. A decline in profits is to be expected in this economic climate. A sudden decrease can be called anosedive.Nosediveis often used in economic or business contexts. Consumer confidence has taken a nosedive. Areductionusually refers the act of making something smaller in size, importance, or degree.Reductionis slightly more formal thandecreaseand is used more in writing than in speech. The company announced a 10 per cent wage reduction in response to poor earnings. After better security measures were taken, the area saw a reduction in crime. You can talk about adownturnor adownswingin the level of something, especially in economic figures. The economic downturn is likely to continue. Banks took action to counter the downswing in manufacturing. The opposite ofdownturnisupturn. The opposite ofdownswingisupswing. Likedownturnanddownswing, these words are used in economic or business contexts. Some sectors of the economy have seen a sharp upturn. Production is on the upswing after a stagnant third quarter. Related articlesto become smaller or less |
随便看 |
|
英汉词典包含213609条英汉翻译词条,涵盖了常用英语单词及词组短语的翻译及用法,是英语学习的必备工具。