Debase
/dɪˈbeɪs/
verbC1
Definition
Debase means to make something less valuable, less good, or less respected. It often refers to lowering the quality or moral value of a thing or idea. For example, if you debase money, you reduce its worth; if you debase a tradition, you make it less important or respected.
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See It in Action
To reduce the value or quality of something
- •The company debased the product by using cheaper materials.
- •The government was accused of debasing the currency.
- •His careless words debased the serious conversation.
To lower the moral quality or respect of something
- •Some people say reality TV debases culture.
- •The scandal debased the reputation of the politician.
- •Gossip can debase friendships by spreading lies.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "debase" like "lower" or "make worse," but more formal and about value or respect, not just height or position.
- ✓Picture a shiny gold coin that becomes dirty and scratched, losing its bright look and value.
- ✓It's the feeling when something you liked becomes disappointing or less special because it changed in a bad way.
- ✓Sounds like "de-base" → imagine taking something from its "base" or foundation and pushing it down lower.
- ✓Think of stories where a hero's good name is ruined, or a famous painting is damaged and loses its beauty.
- ✓NOT like "break" (which means to make something stop working), "debase" means to reduce value or respect, not physical damage only.
- ✓NOT like "cheap" (which means low price), "debase" is about lowering quality or respect, often by bad actions.
- ✓NOT like "improve," which means to make better—debase is the opposite, making worse or less important.
Try Other Words
- •Degrade: to make something worse or less good (Use when the focus is on quality or condition becoming worse)
- •Reduce: to make smaller or less (Use when talking about quantity or size, less about value or respect)
- •Cheapens: to make something seem less valuable or important (Use in informal contexts about value or respect)
- •Corrupt: to make morally bad or dishonest (Use when focusing on moral or ethical decline)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "de-" means down or away, showing reduction or removal
- •Root: "base" means foundation or bottom level
- •Etymology: From Latin "debasare," meaning to lower from the base or foundation
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s to describe lowering the value of coins or reputation
- •Modern usage: Used in formal speech or writing to talk about lowering quality, value, or moral standing
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be debased without anyone noticing? How would that happen?
•How do people or societies decide what is valuable or should not be debased?
Fill in the blanks
1.When a government debases currency, it ___ the money’s value and causes problems for the economy.
2.Saying rude things about someone can debase their ___ and make others lose respect.
3.Unlike breaking an object, to debase something means to ___ its quality or importance.
4.Reality shows are sometimes said to debase culture by ___ serious ideas with entertainment.
5.The artist felt that copying his work would debase his ___ and creativity.
6.Companies that debase their products often use ___ materials to save money.
7.When a tradition is debased, it loses its ___ and meaning for the people who follow it.