Meaning & use
devaluing
Last updated
“devaluing” is a form of “devalue”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Making something worth less, or causing people to think less of it.
Grammar: This is the -ing form of 'devalue', used after auxiliary verbs like 'be' or as a gerund (a noun-like verb). It takes an object: 'devaluing the currency'.
Patterns
- devaluing something
- devaluing someone's work
The government is devaluing the currency to boost exports.
Constant criticism can end up devaluing a child's confidence.
verbintransitiveBritish
Becoming less valuable or being considered less important.
Grammar: Used without an object when the subject itself loses value: 'The shares are devaluing.' More common in British English; in American English people often say 'losing value'.
Patterns
- something is devaluing
- devaluing over time
The pound has been devaluing steadily against the dollar.
Their brand is devaluing because of poor quality control.
Word forms
| third person singular | devalues |
|---|---|
| past tense | devalued |
| past participle | devalued |
| -ing form | devaluing |
Common combinations
- devaluing the currency
- The central bank is devaluing the currency to make exports cheaper.
- devaluing assets
- The company is devaluing its assets after the market crash.
- devaluing someone's contribution
- By ignoring her ideas, the manager is devaluing her contribution.
- devaluing the brand
- Selling cheap knockoffs is devaluing the brand.
Synonyms and how they differ
- undervaluing
- Focuses on judging something as worth less than it really is, often in a more subjective way than 'devaluing'.
- depreciating
- Used mostly for money and assets losing value over time, especially in financial contexts; 'devaluing' can also mean lowering status or importance.
- belittling
- Means making someone or something seem unimportant, but it is more about words and attitude than about actual value.
Opposites
Word family
- devalue verb
- To make something worth less or to treat it as less important.
- devaluation noun
- The act of making something less valuable, especially a currency.
- devalued adjective
- Having lost value or importance.
Commonly confused: devaluing or devaluating?
devaluing vs devaluating
Not a standard word; the correct form is 'devaluing' or 'devaluating' is sometimes used in American English but is rare.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'devaluing' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Devaluing' is a transitive verb here, so it takes a direct object: 'devaluing its employees'. The other options use wrong prepositions that do not fit the verb's pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “devaluing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.