reduction - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
reduction Word Meanings
- the act of making something smaller or less in amount
- a decrease in size, quantity, or quality
- the result of reducing or being reduced
reduction Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
reduction Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/rɪˈdʌkʃən/
US
/rɪˈdʌkʃən/
reduction Word Etymology
reduction = re- (back, again) + ductio (leading) → Latin 'reductio' → Old French 'reduction' → English 'reduction'. Imagine a sculptor chiseling away at a block of stone, making it smaller and more refined.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I reach for the dimmer, push the knob, and watch the room drift into softer light. I feel a quiet shift as brightness falls, a small reduction that changes how I move through the space. Holding the switch steady, my shoulders loosen and the night air feels calmer. Later, I keep this habit in mind for daily tasks—set a goal, adjust what you can, and let the result speak for itself.
Real Context
Reduction refers to the act or process of making something smaller in amount, size, or degree, including a decrease in quantity, quality, or intensity. In mathematics, a reduction can describe simplifying a fraction or reducing the cost. In everyday life, people talk about reductions in prices, emissions, or risk. The term implies both a result (a reduction) and a process (to reduce), often involving deliberate trimming or refining. Picture a sculptor shaving away excess stone to reveal a finer form.
Usage Reminders
- Keep reduction as a noun using in/of with concrete nouns
- Use it with phrases like price reduction, reduction in emissions, or reduction of costs
- In math, note reduction can mean fraction simplification or cost cutting
- Distinguish reduction (noun) from reduce (verb) and reduce (adjective: reductive)
- Common alternatives: decrease, drop, cut; choose based on context
- Practice with real-world contexts like budgets, energy use, and pollution
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking reduction only means price drops; it can also be a general decrease
- Using reduction where decrease or decline would be more natural
- Confusing reduction with reductive (adjective) or reductionism
- Assuming reduction always implies a negative outcome
- Translating reduction verbatim into other languages without considering collocations
Thinking Differences
For English, reduction often emphasizes a deliberate cutback or a measurable decrease, with specific collocations like 'reduction in X' or 'price reduction'. Learners tend to overgeneralize to all declines or confuse it with decrease; focus on noun usage and context.
Learning Tips
- Study common collocations: reduction in/out, price reduction, emission reduction
- Differentiate reduction (noun) from reduce (verb) and reductive (adj)
- Use specific nouns after reduction: energy use, costs, risks
- Practice math sense: reduction = simplify a fraction
- Compare with decrease and drop to choose the right word
- In real-life contexts, pair with numbers or percentages
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the definition of the word 'reduction'?
A.The act of making something smaller or less
B.The process of increasing something
C.A type of food preparation
D.A method of communication
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'reduction' correctly?
A.The reduction of the cake was delicious.
B.She used reduction to prepare her notes for the test.
C.He felt a reduction in stress after his vacation.
D.The painter made a reduction of the final artwork.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym for 'reduction'?
A.Increase
B.Expansion
C.Diminution
D.Augmentation
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'reduction'?
A.Increase
B.Decrease
C.Decline
D.Diminish
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context where a reduction might be relevant?
A.A company announced an increase in production costs.
B.Many people are happy about a lower tax rate this year.
C.The hotel offered a deal for larger families.
D.A person was excited to see a decline in their monthly expenses.
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
Want to practice more words?
Download LexiTalk app for personalized learning experience
Download App