decelerate
dee-SEL-uh-reyt
/diːˈseləreɪt/
To reduce the speed of something; to slow down.
Often used in physics or when discussing economic trends.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'de-' (down) and 'celer' (swift). It was coined in the late 19th century as a logical opposite to 'accelerate'.
Word relationships
- slow: Slow is a general term; decelerate is more precise and technical.
- accelerate: To increase speed.
Commonly confused with
- brake: Braking is the action of applying a tool to stop; decelerating is the resulting decrease in speed.
Word family
- deceleration (noun): The act or process of slowing down.
Collocations
- rapidly decelerate
- decelerate growth
- decelerate a vehicle
Example sentences
- "The driver had to decelerate quickly as he approached the sharp turn in the mountain road." Automotive
- "Economists predict that inflation will begin to decelerate by the third quarter of the year." Economics
Memory hook
Think of 'Celer' as 'Celery'—if you eat only celery, your energy and speed might decelerate. Down-speed.
When not to use
Avoid using it for casual walking; 'slow down' is more natural.
Fun facts
- In physics, deceleration is actually just 'negative acceleration'.
Related words
Explore more words
Acceleration, accelerate, reduce, de-escalate, decouple, deteriorate
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