What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
depreciate
Example
The car depreciated in value after several years of use. [depreciated: past tense]
Example
The company's reputation depreciated after the scandal. [depreciated: verb]
devalue
Example
The government devalued the currency to boost exports. [devalued: past tense]
Example
The criticism from the expert devalued the research findings. [devalued: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Devalue is more commonly used than depreciate in everyday language, especially in news or economic contexts. However, depreciate is more commonly used in accounting or tax contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between depreciate and devalue?
Both depreciate and devalue are formal words that are commonly used in business or economic contexts. However, devalue may be slightly more formal due to its association with currency exchange rates and international trade.
