diminished

UK: /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

diminished / dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/ adjective

1. reduced or lessened; made smaller
2. denoting any minor or perfect interval reduced by a semitone

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

di•min•ish /dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/   v. 

1. to (cause to) seem smaller, decrease, or be reduced: [no object]
   Suddenly the wind diminished and the seas grew calm again.
   [~ + object]
   Time will not diminish our friendship.
2. to belittle; disparage:
   [~ + object] It's not fair to diminish his efforts; he's worked extremely hard.

di•min•ished, adj.: 

the diminished supply of firewood.

di•min•ish•ing, adj.: 

We now face the problem of diminishing returns.

dim•i•nu•tion /ˌdɪməˈnuʃən, -ˈnyu-/  n. 

[countable] facing a constant diminution of financial aid.

[uncountable] plans for diminution of the budget deficit.

See -min-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

di•min•ish  (di min′ish), v.t. 

1. to make or cause to seem smaller, less, less important, etc.;
   lessen;
   reduce.
2. Architecture to give (a column) a form tapering inward from bottom to top.
3. Music and Dance to make (an interval) smaller by a chromatic half step than the corresponding perfect or minor interval.
4. to detract from the authority, honor, stature, or reputation of;
   disparage.

v.i. 

5. to lessen;
   decrease.

• Medieval Latin dīminuere for Latin dēminuere to make smaller) and minishen minish
• Anglo-French diminuer
• 1400–50; late Middle English; blend of, blended diminuen (

di•min′ish•a•ble, adj. 
di•min′ish•ment, n. 
Synonyms

• 5. See decrease. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

diminish / dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/ verb

1. to make or become smaller, fewer, or less
2. (transitive) to cause (a column, etc) to taper
3. (transitive) to decrease (a minor or perfect interval) by a semitone
4. to belittle or be belittled; reduce in authority, status, etc; depreciate

Etymology: 15th Century: blend of diminuen to lessen (from Latin dēminuere to make smaller, from minuere to reduce) + archaic minish to lessen

diˈminishable adjective