devaluation

American  

[dee-val-yoo-ey-shuhn] / diˌvæl yuˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. an official lowering of the exchange value of a country's currency relative to gold or other currencies.

2. a reduction of a value, status, etc.

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devaluation Cultural  

1. A policy undertaken by a nation to reduce the value of its national currency either in relation to gold or in relation to the currencies of other nations.

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Other Word Forms

• minidevaluation noun
• postdevaluation adjective
• predevaluation noun

Etymology

Origin of devaluation

First recorded in 1910–15; devaluate + -ion

Example Sentences

The devaluation of that nuance is worse than the loss of any award.

From Salon

“China has neither the need nor the intention to gain a competitive advantage in trade through currency devaluation,” Pan told reporters.

From The Wall Street Journal

In an address this week, Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah acknowledged that the devaluation had once again "put the burden on citizens".

From Barron's

While its 2025 headline profit missed estimates, the decline is largely related to devaluations in its China portfolio, which was “well expected,” given soft operating conditions there, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

Related Words

• decline
• decrease
• reduction
• weakening