devaluation
Americannoun
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an official lowering of the exchange value of a country's currency relative to gold or other currencies.
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a reduction of a value, status, etc.
noun
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a decrease in the exchange value of a currency against gold or other currencies, brought about by a government Compare depreciation
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a reduction in value, status, importance, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of devaluation
Explanation
Devaluation is when the worth of something is underestimated. If nobody appreciates your corny jokes, you might say, "The devaluation of humor in this family is truly tragic!" You can use the word devaluation for anything that isn't fully appreciated or valued, but it's more often used in an economic context. When a government deliberately lowers the value of its currency, as it compares to other countries, that's devaluation. It's one way to lower the cost of exporting goods, and it sometimes helps repair an ailing economy. Devaluation comes from value, "worth or price," and its Latin source, valere, "be strong."
Vocabulary lists containing devaluation
Vocabulary from Readings 1, Unit 1
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"Labor Unions in a Free Market" by Ernest van den Haag
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Fernando Romero, president of the College of Economists of Tarija, a city in southern Bolivia, told AFP the devaluation would "likely cause the prices of imported goods to increase."
From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026
The devaluation of that nuance is worse than the loss of any award.
From Salon ● Mar. 11, 2026
Just over a week ago, the dollar index fell to a four-year low on fears of a more prolonged devaluation in the U.S. currency.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 9, 2026
Widespread demonstrations that erupted in Iran in late December were sparked by the dramatic devaluation of the rial.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 26, 2026
The 12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50% resulted in inflation of 61% in 1994, but inflation has subsided since.
From The 2001 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
