downsize

[doun-sahyz]

verb (used with object)

downsized, downsizing 

1. to design or manufacture a smaller version or type of.

   The automotive industry downsized its cars for improved fuel economy.

2. to reduce in size or number; cut back.

   Many small businesses are forced to downsize their workforce during a slow economy.

3. to dismiss (an employee); lay off or fire.

   After I was downsized from my marketing position, I took to substitute teaching to make a little money.

verb (used without object)

1. to become smaller in size or number.

   The military is downsizing— reducing overseas deployments—and as a result is spending less on supplies.

2. to move into a smaller residence.

   Retirees are downsizing these days, giving up oversized and empty nests for apartments that are easier to care for.

adjective

1. Also downsized being of a smaller size or version.

   a downsize car.

downsize

/ ˈdaʊnˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to reduce the operating costs of a company by reducing the number of people it employs

2. to reduce the size of or produce a smaller version of (something)

3. to upgrade (a computer system) by replacing a mainframe or minicomputer with a network of microcomputers Compare rightsize

downsize

1. To reduce in number, especially personnel: “The company decided to downsize half the workers in the aircraft division.” It can also be used in reference to objects: “I decided to downsize my wardrobe and threw out all my old T-shirts.”

Downsize is a recent euphemism for “fire, lay off.” Company managers often use this term in an attempt to soften the blow of wide-scale layoffs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of downsize¹

An Americanism dating back to 1970–75; down ¹ + size ¹

Example Sentences

Having downsized from about 500 acres, it was originally bought in 1937 by his wife's grandparents and has been passed down to the third generation.

Read more on BBC

Verizon’s leadership scaled back its downsizing slightly since then, a person familiar with the matter said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

McKinsey has since downsized its annual induction of new partners as it looks to tighten its leadership ranks and change how it is managed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The 49-year-old libertarian MP, who has been compared to Argentina's Javier Milei for his plans to radically downsize the state, campaigned as an outsider who shoots from the hip on crime, communism and family values.

Read more on Barron's

I’d love to sell my house and downsize or move somewhere closer to one of my children.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• curtail 
• cut back 
• cut down 
• diminish 
• phase out 
• reduce 
• retrench 
• scale down 
• shrink 
• trim