decrement

IPA/ˈdek.rə.mənt/
IPA/ˈdek.rə.mənt/

decrement — noun

  • decrementsingular
  • decrementsplural

1. a change in which something becomes less in amount, size, level, or strength tha

1.名詞C1
釋義

a change in which something becomes less in amount, size, level, or strength than it was earlier.

例句

The town saw a steady decrement in bus services after the depot closed.

decrement in + service/amount over time

A decrement in classroom noise helped the youngest pupils hear the teacher.

decrement in + noun phrase

同義詞
  • decrease

    the closest everyday word for something becoming smaller

  • reduction

    common when the change is planned or described formally

  • decline

    suggests a gradual downward change over time

  • drop

    often suggests a quicker or more noticeable fall

反義詞
  • increase

    a general opposite for something becoming larger

  • rise

    often used when a level or amount goes upward

  • growth

    suggests continuing increase over time

文法句型

decrement in + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often followed by in when you name what became smaller. Distinguish from sense 2, which gives the exact figure or amount lost.

常見錯誤

❌There was a decrement of sales 10%.
✅There was a 10% decrement in sales.
💡Use 'decrement in' for the thing that became smaller.
❌The company decremented the ticket price for families.
✅The company lowered the ticket price for families.
💡In general English, 'decrement' is much more common as a noun than as a verb.

2. the exact amount or number by which something has become smaller.

2.名詞C1
釋義

the exact amount or number by which something has become smaller.

例句

The chart showed a 12% decrement in heating costs last winter.

percentage + decrement in + costs

By noon, the gauge marked a decrement of five litres in the tank.

decrement of + amount

同義詞
  • amount lost

    a plain explanation rather than a direct synonym

  • decrease

    can also mean the quantity that has gone down in a report

  • drop

    often used for the size of a fall in figures or levels

反義詞
  • increment

    a formal opposite meaning an amount added or gained

  • gain

    the amount by which something increases

文法句型

decrement of + amount

decrement in + measurement

用法筆記

Usually appears with numbers, percentages, or measurement words. Distinguish from sense 1, which names the decrease itself rather than its size.

常見錯誤

❌The decrement was ten percent less.
✅The decrement was ten percent.
💡The word already names the amount of decrease, so adding 'less' repeats the same idea.