depreciate
/dɪˈpriːʃieɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈpriːʃieɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt/ (ame, mw)
depreciate — verb
- depreciatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- depreciateshe / she / it
- depreciatedpast simple
- depreciating-ing form
1. to become worth less, or to make something worth less, gradually as time passes.
to become worth less, or to make something worth less, gradually as time passes.
Linh's scooter will depreciate quickly if she never services it.
intransitive: asset loses value over time
After the policy announcement, the peso depreciated against the dollar overnight.
currency depreciate against another currency
Heavy smoke damage depreciated the old apartment before the sale.
Christopher worried that the flooded basement would depreciate his house.
- appreciate
to become worth more over time
- gain value
plain, non-technical opposite
文法句型
something depreciates
depreciate something
用法筆記
Can be intransitive or transitive. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense is about real-world worth going down, not a formal accounting entry on company books.
常見錯誤
2. to treat someone or something as less important or less worthy than they really
to treat someone or something as less important or less worthy than they really are.
The columnist's joke depreciated the nurses' work during the strike.
depreciate + someone's work or contribution
Wren refused to depreciate a teammate's effort after the difficult match.
Those comments depreciate small local museums as if they do not matter.
By laughing at the village school, the host depreciated its success.
文法句型
depreciate someone or something
用法筆記
Usually appears in formal writing or criticism. Distinguish from sense 1: this use lowers status or respect, not price or market value.
3. to record part of a physical asset's cost as an expense by reducing its book val
to record part of a physical asset's cost as an expense by reducing its book value year by year.
The company depreciates each delivery van over six years.
depreciate + asset + over + period
Our accountant depreciated the factory machines before closing the books.
Mateo asked whether the new printer should be depreciated monthly.
Aoi learned that office chairs can be depreciated, but land cannot.
- write down
broader accounting term for reducing a recorded value
- amortize
close in accounting meaning, but more often used for intangible assets
文法句型
depreciate an asset
be depreciated over a period
用法筆記
Used for accounting treatment of tangible assets such as vehicles, tools, and machines. Distinguish from sense 1: the market price may change separately, but this sense is about what the accounts record.