depreciate

[dih-pree-shee-eyt]

verb (used with object)

depreciated, depreciating 

1. to reduce the purchasing value of (money).

2. to lessen the value or price of.

3. to claim depreciation on (a property) for tax purposes.

4. to represent as of little value or merit; belittle.

   Synonyms: minimize, decry, disparage

verb (used without object)

depreciated, depreciating 

1. to decline in value.

depreciate

/ dɪˈpriːʃɪətərɪ, -trɪ, dɪˈpriːʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to reduce or decline in value or price

2. (tr) to lessen the value of by derision, criticism, etc; disparage

Confusables Note

See deprecate

Other Word Forms

• depreciatingly adverb
• depreciator noun
• nondepreciating adjective
• predepreciate verb
• redepreciate verb
• undepreciated adjective
• underdepreciate verb (used with object)
• depreciatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of depreciate¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Late Latin dēpretiātus “undervalued” (past participle of dēpretiāre; in Medieval Latin spelling dēpreciāre ), equivalent to Latin dē- “away from, out of” + preti(um) “price” + -ātus past participle suffix; de-, price, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of depreciate¹

C15: from Late Latin dēpretiāre to lower the price of, from Latin _de- + pretium _price

Example Sentences

The yen depreciated about 25% against the dollar over the past four years.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Instead companies depreciate these large costs over time, which is what gets counted in the income statement.

Read more on Barron's

A car’s value, meanwhile, depreciates over time, so the borrower runs a risk of becoming “upside down” on the loan, or owing more than the car is worth.

Read more on MarketWatch

But the peso is steadily depreciating and could slide further if the government is forced by the IMF to allow the peso to freely float and have its price determined by market forces.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A "blue chips swap" allows an investor to buy a foreign asset, usually in a country with a depreciated currency, then sell it abroad at a higher price.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• decrease 
• depress 
• deteriorate 
• diminish 
• dwindle 
• erode 
• lessen 
• lower 
• soften 
• undervalue 
• worsen 
• write off