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reducing

In general conversation, "reducing" usually refers to making something smaller (like weight or cost). It is commonly used as a present participle or a gerund. In cooking, it specifically describes the process of thickening a liquid. When you hear a chef say they are "reducing a sauce," they mean boiling it down to concentrate the flavor. In math and science, "reducing" is more technical, meaning to simplify something complex into its most basic form.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Maya is at her desk while Jackson is trying to pitch a new project via text.

Jackson

I'm reducing my overhead by moving into my car. Pure efficiency.

Maya

That's not "efficiency," Jackson. You're just broke.

💡

Jackson uses 'reducing' in a business context to sound sophisticated about his financial failure, while Maya uses a blunt reality check to dismantle his facade.

Meanings

verb (transitive)

Making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.

"The company is reducing its workforce to cut costs."

verb (transitive)

Simplifying a chemical substance or a mathematical expression to a more basic form.

"He spent the afternoon reducing the complex fraction to its simplest terms."

verb (intransitive)

The process of boiling a liquid (such as a sauce) to thicken it by evaporating water.

"Allow the sauce to simmer until it is reducing and becomes glossy."

Last Updated: May 22, 2026•Report an Error