the reduction in value of a fixed asset due to use, obsolescence, etc the amount deducted from gross profit to allow for such reduction in value the act or an instance of depreciating or belittling; disparagement a decrease in the exchange value of currency against gold or other currencies brought about by excess supply of that currency under conditions of fluctuating exchange rates
Comparedevaluation 1
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
de•pre•ci•ate /dɪˈpriʃiˌeɪt/USA pronunciation
v., -at•ed, -at•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- (of money, etc.) to decline or fall in value:[no object]The car depreciated in value.
- to reduce or lower the value of:[~ + object]Inflation has depreciated the country's currency.
de•pre•ci•a•tion
(di prē′shē ā′shən),USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Businessdecrease in value due to wear and tear, decay, decline in price, etc.
- Businesssuch a decrease as allowed in computing the value of property for tax purposes.
- Businessa decrease in the purchasing or exchange value of money.
- a lowering in estimation.
- depreciate + -ion 1730–40, American.
de•pre•ci•ate
(di prē′shē āt′),USA pronunciation v., -at•ed, -at•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
de•pre′ci•at′ing•ly, adv.
de•pre′ci•a′tor, n.
v.t.
- to reduce the purchasing value of (money).
- to lessen the value or price of.
- to claim depreciation on (a property) for tax purposes.
- to represent as of little value or merit;
belittle.
v.i.
- to decline in value.
- Late Latin dēpretiātus undervalued (past participle of dēpretiāre, in Medieval Latin spelling, spelled dēpreciāre), equivalent. to Latin dē- de- + preti(um) price + -ātus -ate1
- 1640–50
de•pre′ci•a′tor, n.
- 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged disparage, decry, minimize.
- 4. See deprecate.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::