Reading Theme:
Devalue Definition: Currency & Worth Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：lower currency's official value (devalue)
devalue
/diːˈvæljuː/
v.
When a government officially lowers the worth of its money compared to other countries' money.
lower currency's official value
➕
/ˈloʊər ˈkɜːrənsiːz əˈfɪʃəl ˈvæljuː/
v.
To intentionally reduce the official exchange rate of a nation's currency relative to foreign currencies, often to boost exports or manage trade deficits.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From prefix 'de-' (down, away) + 'value' (worth), literally 'to lower the worth'.
💡 Mnemonic
DE + VALUE: Think 'decrease' the value — bring the worth down.
📖 Example
The government decided to devalue the currency to make its exports cheaper for foreign buyers.
The government decided to devalue the currency to make its exports cheaper for foreign buyers.
🔗 Collocations
devalue the currency – To officially reduce the value of a nation's money
devalue the economy – To weaken the overall economic standing through currency manipulation
devalue assets – To lower the official worth of financial holdings
🔄 Synonyms
depreciate (v.) – To decrease in value over time, often due to market forces
debase (v.) – To reduce the quality or value of something, especially currency
devaluate (v.) – Another term for devalue, meaning to set a lower value officially
🚫 Antonyms
appreciate (v.) – To increase in value
revalue (v.) – To set a new, often higher, official value for a currency
strengthen (v.) – To become stronger in value or purchasing power
🌱 Derivatives
devaluation (n.) – The act or process of devaluing a currency
devalued (adj.) – Having been lowered in value or importance
📖 Cultural Story
Originates from Latin 'de-' + 'valere' (to be strong). First used in economics (19th century) when governments officially reduced currency worth. Now also common in social contexts to mean 'undermine importance'.
Meaning 2：undermine worth of someone/something (devalue)
devalue
/diːˈvæljuː/
v.
To make something or someone seem less important or worthy than they really are.
undermine worth of someone/something
➕
/ˌʌndərˈmaɪn wɜːrθ əv ˈsʌmˌwʌn/
v.
To make a person, idea, or achievement seem less important, valuable, or respectable than it actually is.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
We should never devalue the hard work of volunteers by saying it's not a real job.
We should never devalue the hard work of volunteers by saying it's not a real job.
🔗 Collocations
devalue someone's contribution – To diminish the perceived worth of a person's input or effort
devalue the importance – To reduce how significant something is considered
devalue efforts – To treat hard work as less valuable than it is
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
appreciate (v.) – To recognize the value or importance of someone or something
value (v.) – To consider someone or something as important and worthwhile
esteem (v.) – To respect and admire highly
🌱 Derivatives
devaluation (n.) – The act of making someone or something seem less valuable
devalued (adj.) – Treated as if less important or worthless
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