devalue

/ˌdiːˈvæljuː/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdiːˈvæljuː/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)dē-ˈval-(ˌ)yü/ (ame, mw)

devalue — verb

  • devaluepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • devalueshe / she / it
  • devaluedpast simple
  • devaluing-ing form

1. to make people see someone or something as having less worth or importance than

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make people see someone or something as having less worth or importance than before

例句

The rude joke devalued Mia's careful work in front of everyone.

devalue + someone's work or effort

Cheap copies can devalue the artist's original paintings over time.

同義詞
  • belittle

    focuses on treating someone or something as unimportant

  • diminish

    often means making value or effect seem smaller

  • cheapen

    often suggests harming quality or dignity

反義詞
  • value

    means to recognize worth or importance

  • respect

    used especially for people, work, or traditions

文法句型

devalue + object

用法筆記

Often describes words, policies, or behavior that make a person, skill, or kind of work seem less worthy of respect.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher devalued the test scores by five points.
✅The teacher reduced the test scores by five points.
💡for changing a number, use 'reduce' or 'lower'; 'devalue' means making something seem worth less.

2. to officially set a country's money at a lower exchange value against other curr

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to officially set a country's money at a lower exchange value against other currencies

例句

The government devalued the peso after exports fell for six months.

devalue + national currency

Traders feared the bank would devalue the currency before winter.

同義詞
  • depreciate

    can describe value going down without an official decision

  • lower

    more general and less tied to exchange value

反義詞
  • revalue

    means to set a currency at a higher official value

  • strengthen

    often describes a currency becoming more valuable

文法句型

devalue + currency

用法筆記

Usually has a government, central bank, or similar authority as the subject, and the object is a national currency.

常見錯誤

❌The store devalued its winter coats by 30%.
✅The store discounted its winter coats by 30%.
💡'devalue' is usually used for money, not an ordinary shop sale.