Word · CEFR C2 · Frequency #4526
diminish
减少；减小；减弱
核心释义
To become or to make something become smaller or less.
- 1.
使变小。
To make smaller.
- 2.
变得较少或更小。
To become less or smaller.
- 3.
使显得比实际小；轻视为不重要。
To make appear smaller than in reality; to dismiss as unimportant.
- 4.
削弱权威或尊严；贬低；降低；减弱；在游戏中削弱。
To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken; to nerf (in gaming).
- 5.
逐渐变细。
To taper.
- 6.
逐渐消失。
To disappear gradually.
- 7.
减少；减去。
To take away; to subtract.
贬低；轻视；削弱；降低；逐渐消失；消退；减去；扣除；逐渐变细；变尖
用法In use
The water level in the lake begins to diminish during the dry season.
用法提示：此处diminish表示数量上的减少，作不及物动词。
His influence within the company gradually diminished after the scandal.
用法提示：diminished是过去式，表示抽象事物的减弱。
Adding more sugar will diminish the sourness of the lemon juice.
用法提示：diminish作及物动词，表示使某物降低。
diminish + noun phrase
及物用法，意为'使减少'。
The new evidence diminishes the value of his testimony.
新证据降低了他证词的价值。
diminish in + noun
不及物用法，后接in表示在某方面减少。
相关词与表达Connections
搭配Collocations
- diminish in value
- 价值减少
- The painting diminished in value over the years.这幅画多年来价值减少了。
- diminish the importance
- 削弱重要性
- Don't diminish the importance of teamwork.不要削弱团队合作的重要性。
- diminish over time
- 随时间减少
- Her enthusiasm diminished over time.她的热情随时间减少了。
- diminish significantly
- 显著减少
- The population diminished significantly after the epidemic.疫情过后人口显著减少了。
- diminish one's role
学习提示Learner notes
记忆技巧Memory Tip
diminish 里有 mini（小），联想为‘使变小’。
语境与语域Context & Register
语域：mixed 常见场景：abstract discussions、professional criticism、everyday description of decline ‘diminish’ 多用于正式或抽象语境，表示降低权威、尊严或声誉；在日常对话中也用于表示数量或程度减少，但此处侧重抽象意义。
语法说明Grammar Note
可及物或不及物，及物时意为'使减少'或'贬低'，不及物时意为'减少'。
发音与拼写Pronunciation & Spelling
Only 'finish' and 'Finnish' rhyme with 'diminish' (identical stressed vowel /ɪ/ and ending /ʃ/). The others share the '-ish' ending but have different stressed vowels, so they do NOT rhyme.
用法优先级Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 2，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, OCTANOVE, WIKTIONARY.