Is reduce formal or informal?

Reduce is fairly formal and common in writing, school, and business.

What is the difference between reduce and cut down?

Reduce is more formal and general. Cut down is more common in speech.

Can I say reduce by for numbers and amounts?

Yes. You can say, "Prices were reduced by 10%."

Is reduce used in academic English?

Yes. It is very common in academic, business, and IELTS writing.

← Dictionary

reduce

/rɪˈdjuːs/

IELTSAcademic

verb

To make something smaller in size, amount, number, or level. It can also mean to make a problem, cost, or risk less.

We need to reduce the cost of the project.
Exercise can reduce stress.
The company reduced its workforce.

Adinary Nuance

Reduce is more general than cut and more formal than make smaller. Use reduce when you talk about amounts, prices, risks, or levels, especially in writing and business. In everyday speech, people often say cut down instead.

In other languages

Vietnamese: giảm
Spanish: reducir
Chinese: 减少
Japanese: 減らす
Korean: 줄이다

Etymology

Reduce comes from Latin reducere, meaning "lead back" or "bring back." It entered English through Old French in the Middle Ages.

Common phrases

reduce costsreduce riskreduce pressurereduce the amount

Synonyms

decrease lower lessen cut

Related words

increase decrease cut down minimize

Frequently asked questions

Is reduce formal or informal?: Reduce is fairly formal and common in writing, school, and business.
What is the difference between reduce and cut down?: Reduce is more formal and general. Cut down is more common in speech.
Can I say reduce by for numbers and amounts?: Yes. You can say, "Prices were reduced by 10%."
Is reduce used in academic English?: Yes. It is very common in academic, business, and IELTS writing.