decrescere

to decrease

verb deh-KREH-sheh-reh Rare

Origin: Latin decrescere

Also means

to decline

Usage Note

Decrescere is an intransitive verb meaning to decrease or diminish; it takes essere as its auxiliary (la produzione è decresciuta). In music, the noun decrescendo (from the same root) is a well-known term for a gradual decrease in volume. Do not confuse decrescere with decrementare (to decrement in computing) — decrescere is more literary and natural in everyday Italian.

Examples

"La temperatura è decresciuta di notte."

Natural Translation

The temperature decreased at night.

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