Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

diminish

/dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.46 in modern English

Syllables
di-min-ish
IPA
/dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/
14
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To make smaller.

Transitive verb

verb

To become less or smaller.

Intransitive verb

verb

To make appear smaller than in reality; to dismiss as unimportant.

Transitive verb

verb

To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken; to nerf (in gaming).

Transitive verb

verb

To taper.

Intransitive verb

verb

To disappear gradually.

Intransitive verb

verb

To take away; to subtract.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

Formed under the influence of both diminue (from Old French diminuer, from Latin dīminuo) and minish.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: diminuer, dīminuo

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Antonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce diminish?
The recorded pronunciation is /dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/.
What does diminish mean?
To make smaller.
Where does diminish come from?
It is traced to Old French.

How to pronounce diminish

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “diminish”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “diminish”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “diminish” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.