How to pronounce decrease
Say it like dih-KREES. Decrease has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KREES).
- dih
- KREES
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Decrease pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KREESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of decrease
American and British speakers say decrease in essentially the same way: /dɪˈkris/ in the US and /dɪˈkriːs/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-KREES.
Other ways to say decrease
Decrease also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- DEE-krees /ˈdiˌkris/
What does decrease mean?
- Of a quantity, to become smaller.“The quality of our products has decreased since the main designer left.”
- To make (a quantity) smaller.“Let's decrease the volume a little so we can hear each other talking.”
- An amount by which a quantity decreases or is decreased.“After six years of constant growth, the company reported a slight decrease in sales last year.”
- A reduction in the number of stitches, usually accomplished by suspending the stitch to be decreased from another existing stitch or by knitting it together with another stitch. See Decrease (knitting).
Where does decrease come from?
From Middle English decresen, alteration of discresen, from Anglo-Norman, Old French descreistre (French: décroître), from Latin decrescere.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with decrease
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of decrease.
Questions about saying decrease
How do you pronounce decrease?
Say dih-KREES. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈkris/. In British English it is /dɪˈkriːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in decrease?
Decrease has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KREES). Broken into parts: dih · KREES.
Do Americans and Brits say decrease the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈkris/ and the British form is /dɪˈkriːs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.