devalue
B2Formal, Academic, Financial
Definition
Meaning
To reduce the value or worth of something, especially the official value of a currency relative to others.
To cause something or someone to be regarded less highly; to diminish the perceived importance, merit, or desirability of.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In finance, the term is transitive and deliberate (a central bank devalues the currency). In a social/emotional sense, it can describe the effect of actions or words on a person, relationship, or concept.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. 'Devalue' is the standard spelling in both variants; 'devaluate' is a rare, formal synonym more common in AmE technical contexts.
Connotations
Identical core connotations. The financial sense is primary in both.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English in news/political discourse due to historical discussions of sterling.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SUBJECT] devalues [OBJECT] (e.g., The government devalued the currency).[SUBJECT] devalues [OBJECT] by [AGENT/METHOD] (e.g., Constant criticism devalued her efforts).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To devalue the currency”
- “To devalue oneself (by doing something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The board fears the merger will devalue our brand equity.
Academic
The historian argued that such an approach devalues the cultural complexity of the period.
Everyday
Don't devalue your own opinion just because others disagree.
Technical
The central bank was forced to devalue the peso by 15%.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The Chancellor decided to devalue the pound to boost exports.
- He felt his years of service were devalued by the new management policy.
American English
- The Fed will not devalue the dollar deliberately.
- Such harsh criticism can devalue a child's sense of accomplishment.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The company didn't want to devalue its products with a big sale.
- Some people think online degrees are devalued.
- The government's decision to devalue the currency led to immediate inflation.
- You shouldn't devalue his contribution just because he's new.
- Persistently focusing on minor flaws can devalue an otherwise stellar performance.
- The analyst warned that political instability would devalue the nation's bonds on international markets.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DE-VALUE: think of taking the VALUE 'DE' (down or away).
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUE IS A QUANTITY (that can be lowered). WORTH IS HEIGHT ('lowering' someone's worth).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'оценивать' (to evaluate/assess). 'Devalue' is only negative reduction: 'обесценивать', 'снижать стоимость'.
- Avoid using 'девальвировать' directly in English; the correct verb is 'devalue'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'devaluate' in everyday speech (hyperformal).
- Confusing 'devalue' (reduce worth) with 'devolve' (transfer power).
- Incorrect: 'His comments devalued on her work.' (Correct: 'devalued her work').
Practice
Quiz
In an economic context, what does it mean to 'devalue' a currency?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its most precise use is in finance for currencies, it is commonly used metaphorically for anything whose worth or importance is reduced (e.g., relationships, achievements, opinions).
Both mean to reduce in value. 'Devalue' often implies an official or deliberate act (especially for currencies), while 'depreciate' is often used for assets losing value naturally over time (e.g., a car depreciates) or in accounting.
No, 'devalue' is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object (you devalue *something*). The currency 'depreciates' intransitively.
The primary noun is 'devaluation' (e.g., the devaluation of the currency). 'Devalued' can also function as a participial adjective (e.g., a devalued asset).
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