depreciate Definition
- 1diminish in value over a period of time
- 2belittle or express disapproval of
Using depreciate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "depreciate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The value of the car has depreciated by 20% since it was bought.
Example
The company's assets have been depreciating for years.
Example
He constantly depreciates her efforts, making her feel worthless.
Example
She doesn't like to be depreciated in front of others.
depreciate Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using depreciate
depreciate in value
to decrease in worth or value over time
Example
The house has depreciated in value since the economic downturn.
to belittle oneself to the point of becoming insignificant or irrelevant
Example
If you keep depreciating yourself like that, you'll soon depreciate yourself out of existence.
to cause the value of a currency to fall in relation to other currencies
Example
The government's decision to print more money has led to the depreciation of the currency.
Phrases with depreciate
self-depreciation
the act of belittling or undervaluing oneself
Example
His constant self-depreciation is a sign of low self-esteem.
humor that involves making fun of oneself or others in a playful or teasing manner
Example
His depreciating humor always lightens up the mood in the room.
the rate at which an asset loses its value over time
Example
The depreciation rate of the car is 10% per year.
Origins of depreciate
from Late Latin 'depretiare', meaning 'to lower the price of'
Summary: depreciate in Brief
'Depreciate' [dɪˈpriːʃieɪt] is a verb that means to diminish in value over time or to belittle or express disapproval of someone or something. It can refer to the loss of value of an asset, as in 'The value of the car has depreciated by 20% since it was bought,' or to the act of putting someone down, as in 'He constantly depreciates her efforts, making her feel worthless.' 'Depreciate' also appears in phrases like 'depreciating humor,' and idioms like 'depreciate in value,' meaning to decrease in worth over time.