downsize

/ˌdaʊnˈsaɪz/

/ˈdaʊnsaɪz/

Other forms: downsizing; downsized; downsizes

To downsize is to make something smaller. You might downsize your collection of vintage china by selling everything that's nicked or chipped.

You can downsize the items you own by giving them away, and you can downsize your living situation by moving from a huge house to a very small apartment. When a company downsizes, it almost always means it's reducing the number of employees, making the company smaller by laying them off. This last meaning has only been around since the 1980s.

Definitions of downsize

1. verb

   reduce in size or number
   “the company downsized its research staff”

   type of:

   bring down, cut, cut back, cut down, reduce, trim, trim back, trim down

   cut down on; make a reduction in
2. verb

   dismiss from work
   “three secretaries were downsized during the financial crisis”

   type of:

   furlough, lay off

   dismiss from work, usually for economic reasons
3. verb

   make in a smaller size
   “the car makers downsized the SUVs when fuel became very expensive”

   type of:

   reduce, shrink

   reduce in size; reduce physically