Basic Details
Word: Reduce
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To make something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
Synonyms: Diminish, lessen, decrease
Antonyms: Increase, augment, enlarge
Idioms and Phrases
- Reduce to ashes: To completely destroy something. Example: "The fire reduced the old barn to ashes."
- Reduce your speed: To slow down. Example: "The sign asked drivers to reduce their speed in the construction zone."
Usage Examples
Example 1: To help the environment, we should reduce our use of plastic bags.
Example 2: The doctor advised me to reduce my sugar intake for better health.
Example 3: The teacher suggested ways to reduce homework stress for her students.
Fun Fact
The word "reduce" comes from the Latin word "reducere," which means "to lead back" or "to bring back." Originally, it referred to the act of bringing something back to a former condition.
Famous Quote
"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." - Native American Proverb. This quote reminds us to reduce our consumption and care for the planet for future generations.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "reduce" mean?
a) To make larger
b) To make smaller
c) To create
d) To increase
Answer: b) To make smaller
2. Which of these is a synonym of "reduce"?
a) Diminish
b) Enhance
c) Expand
d) Multiply
Answer: a) Diminish
3. What is an antonym of "reduce"?
a) Lessen
b) Decrease
c) Increase
d) Diminish
Answer: c) Increase
4. Which sentence uses "reduce" correctly?
a) I want to reduce my room.
b) We need to reduce the noise in the classroom.
c) She will reduce the cake.
d) They reduced to go home.
Answer: b) We need to reduce the noise in the classroom.
5. Which idiom means to destroy something completely?
a) Reduce your speed
b) Reduce to ashes
c) Reduce your load
d) Reduce the risk
Answer: b) Reduce to ashes
