devaluate
C1Formal, Technical, Business/Economics
Definition
Meaning
To reduce the official value of a currency relative to other currencies or gold.
To reduce the value, worth, or importance of something; to cause to be seen as less valuable or significant.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an economic/financial term (transitive). Its more general figurative use for 'reduce in worth/esteem' is less common. It is often used in passive constructions (e.g., 'The currency was devaluated'). 'Devalue' is the much more frequent and general synonym.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties recognize 'devaluate', but 'devalue' is overwhelmingly preferred in all contexts in both. 'Devaluate' sounds more technical or bureaucratic.
Connotations
Slightly more clinical, formal, or dated than 'devalue'. Might be used in official financial documents or older economic texts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, but marginally more likely to be encountered in historical or very formal American economic writing. In contemporary British English, 'devalue' is near-exclusive.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject: govt/central bank] devaluates [Object: currency][Subject: action/event] devaluates [Object: asset/achievement]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms; the word itself is technical]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in financial reports: 'The central bank moved to devaluate the national currency to boost exports.'
Academic
Found in economics or history papers discussing monetary policy.
Everyday
Very rare. Most speakers would use 'devalue': 'Don't devalue your own achievements.'
Technical
The primary domain, alongside 'devalue', in economics and finance.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The chancellor was forced to devaluate the pound in 1967.
- Such scandals devaluate the honour of the institution.
American English
- The Treasury decided to devaluate the dollar against the yen.
- He argued that grade inflation devaluates a university degree.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form. Use 'devaluingly' is extremely rare/non-standard.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form.]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective form. Use 'devalued'.]
American English
- [No standard adjective form. Use 'devalued'.]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Too advanced for A2. Use 'devalue' instead.]
- Governments sometimes devaluate their money.
- His constant criticism seemed to devaluate her hard work.
- The economic crisis led the government to devaluate the national currency by 20%.
- Overusing praise can devaluate its meaning.
- Analysts feared the regime would devaluate the currency to service its foreign debt, triggering inflation.
- The artist refused to produce commercial work, claiming it would devaluate her core artistic philosophy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DE- (down/remove) + VALUE + -ATE (verb suffix). You 'take the value down' officially.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTH IS HEIGHT/LEVEL (to devaluate is to lower that level).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'обесценивать' in its most common psychological sense ('to belittle'). In Russian, 'обесценивать' is frequently used for interpersonal dismissal. In English, 'devaluate/devalue' for currency is primary; for people/feelings, 'belittle', 'diminish', or 'dismiss' are more natural.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'devaluate' in casual speech instead of 'devalue'.
- Incorrect spelling: 'devaluete', 'devalute'.
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'The currency devaluated' is less standard than 'was devaluated').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'devaluate' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Devalue' is the general, more common verb for reducing value or worth, applicable to currencies, objects, and abstract concepts. 'Devaluate' is a more formal, technical synonym, primarily used in economic/financial contexts regarding official currency valuation. 'Devalue' is always the safer choice.
It is very uncommon and sounds overly technical or awkward. For people or feelings, verbs like 'belittle', 'diminish', 'dismiss', or 'undermine' are far more natural. 'Devalue' can be used figuratively (e.g., 'devalue someone's contribution'), but 'devaluate' rarely is.
No, it is not. It is a formal, technical term. In everyday conversation, news, and most writing, 'devalue' is used. You are most likely to encounter 'devaluate' in historical texts, formal economic reports, or legal/financial documents.
The direct noun is 'devaluation', which is common in economics (e.g., 'currency devaluation'). The more general noun 'devaluing' also exists. There is no commonly used noun '*devaluateness'.
Explore