debase — to reduce the quality, value, or dignity of something; to make something less valuable or respectable
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to reduce the quality, value, or dignity of something; to make something less valuable or respectable
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈbeɪs/
Example Sentences
- Adding too much water to the soup will debase its rich flavor.
- The comedian refused to debase his art by telling crude jokes for cheap laughs.
- My cooking skills are so bad, I can debase even instant noodles into something inedible.
debase
VERB[/dɪˈbeɪs/]
to reduce the quality, value, or dignity of something; to make something less valuable or respectable
The greedy king mixed cheap iron into the pure gold to debase the coins.
DE(down) + BASE(bottom) — the mob pulled the beautiful statue DOWN to the muddy BASE to debase it.
By spray-painting the marble face, the vandal managed to debase the masterpiece.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Middle English 'debasen', combining the prefix 'de-' (meaning to reduce or remove) with 'base' (from Old French 'bas', meaning low or base). The word emerged in the 15th century to describe the act of lowering in quality, value, or dignity.
Breakdown
de- (reduce, remove) + base (low, inferior) = debase (to lower in quality or dignity)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Adding too much water to the soup will debase its rich flavor.”
“The comedian refused to debase his art by telling crude jokes for cheap laughs.”
“My cooking skills are so bad, I can debase even instant noodles into something inedible.”
“The king's decision to debase the coins caused inflation throughout the kingdom.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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