reduced

American  

[ri-doost, -dyoost] / rɪˈdust, -ˈdyust /

adjective

1. made smaller, lower, or less; diminished.

   Individuals who experience depression have reduced levels of serotonin in their brains.

2. Mathematics. noting a polynomial equation in which the second highest power is missing.

   The cubic equation x3 − 4x + 4 = 0 is reduced.

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Other Word Forms

• nonreduced
  adjective
• quasi-reduced
  adjective
• unreduced
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of reduced

First recorded in 1620–30; reduce + -ed ²

Explanation

A reduced thing has been lessened or subtracted from. If you want to ride your bike in Italy and you’re on a budget, look for reduced airfare. For a reduced risk of injury, wear a helmet when you get there. To reduce something is to make it smaller or lessen it in some way. Therefore, anything reduced is smaller than it was before. If you’re pedaling your way through Italy and hit a giant hill, you’ll probably have reduced pedal power and go much slower. This word applies to things that are going down in degree or amount. There could be reduced pain, reduced cost, or reduced size. Anything described as reduced can also be called decreased.

Example Sentences

Home Depot reported lower fiscal first-quarter profit as homeowners reduced large home-improvement projects amid economic uncertainty.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

They also lost more weight and reduced abdominal fat more effectively.

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

But those buffers have been reduced, he said, and may soon lose their ability to cushion the market from the full impact of the supply shortfall.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

Many other key donors have also significantly reduced contributions, including the UK.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

"You're lucky he's not been reduced to a gibbering imbecile."

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Related Words

• decreased
• diminished
• shortened