depreciate
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /dɪˈpriːʃieɪt/
KK: /dɪˈpriːʃieɪt/
intransitive verb
Definition
To lose value or worth over time.
Example
The value of the car will depreciate as it gets older.
Tense Forms
Past: depreciated
Past Participle: depreciated
Conversation
Have you noticed how quickly prices seem to depreciate these days?
Totally! It feels like everything loses value almost overnight.
Yeah, especially with tech gadgets; they depreciate faster than I can save up for them.
Exactly! It's frustrating when you buy something and it drops in value so fast.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
decline
diminish
fall
Antonyms
appreciate
increase
rise
transitive verb
Definition
To reduce the value or worth of something, often in terms of money or importance.
Example
The economic downturn caused many assets to depreciate significantly.
Tense Forms
Past: depreciated
Past Participle: depreciated
Conversation
I heard that the prices of used cars really depreciate over time.
Yeah, it's surprising how quickly they lose value after purchase.
I guess that's why it's better to buy them second-hand.
Root Explanation
Depreciate is formed from "de-" (meaning down or away) and "pretium" (meaning price or value). The word describes the act of reducing the value or worth of something.
Memory Tip
Think of 'de-' meaning down and 'pretium' meaning price — this helps you remember that to depreciate means to lower the value of something.
Visually Confused Words
redepreciate
undepreciated
predepreciate
precite
undeprecated
reappreciate
deresinate
deracinate