Reduce to
verb
To change or simplify something to a basic or fundamental state.
The complex equation can be reduced to a simpler form.
Often appears as...
- reduce to a minimum
- reduce to ashes
Usage tips
Academic
verb
To bring someone to a worse or less dignified state.
Poverty had reduced them to living in a shanty town.
Often appears as...
- reduce to tears
- reduce to poverty
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To melt down an ingredient and make it into a sauce or gravy.
She reduced the wine to a thick sauce.
Often appears as...
- reduce to sauce
- reduce for gravy
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To bring something to a specific state by dealing away with unnecessary or extra parts.
He reduced the article to its essential points.
Often appears as...
- reduce to essentials
- reduce to points
verb
To change or simplify something to a basic or fundamental state.
The complex equation can be reduced to a simpler form.
Often appears as...
- reduce to a minimum
- reduce to ashes
Usage tips
Academic
verb
To bring someone to a worse or less dignified state.
Poverty had reduced them to living in a shanty town.
Often appears as...
- reduce to tears
- reduce to poverty
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To melt down an ingredient and make it into a sauce or gravy.
She reduced the wine to a thick sauce.
Often appears as...
- reduce to sauce
- reduce for gravy
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To bring something to a specific state by dealing away with unnecessary or extra parts.
He reduced the article to its essential points.
Often appears as...
- reduce to essentials
- reduce to points
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Basic Essence
Use 'reduce to' to distill complex ideas into their simplest form for clarity.
She reduced the philosopher's theories to a few digestible sentences.
Pro Tip 2/2Essential Features
'Reduce to' implies focusing on the most important parts, ignoring less critical details.
The novel was reduced to its key themes for the book review.
Pro Tip 1/2Basic Essence
Use 'reduce to' to distill complex ideas into their simplest form for clarity.
She reduced the philosopher's theories to a few digestible sentences.
Pro Tip 2/2Essential Features
'Reduce to' implies focusing on the most important parts, ignoring less critical details.
The novel was reduced to its key themes for the book review.
Pro Tip 1/2Basic Essence
Use 'reduce to' to distill complex ideas into their simplest form for clarity.
She reduced the philosopher's theories to a few digestible sentences.
Pro Tip 2/2Essential Features
'Reduce to' implies focusing on the most important parts, ignoring less critical details.
The novel was reduced to its key themes for the book review.
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