Full Definition of DECREASE. intransitive verb. : to grow progressively less (as in size, amount, number, or intensity). transitive verb. : to cause to decrease. â deÂ·creasÂ·ingÂ·ly \di-ËkrÄ-siÅ-lÄ, dÄ-\ adverb. See decrease defined for English-language learners.See decrease defined for kids. ADVERTISEMENT.ynonym Discussion of DECREASE. decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle mean to grow or make less. decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity. lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.
home / study / social sciences / sociology / definitions / sex vs. gender. Sex refers to the biological distinction between males and females; by contrast, gender concerns the social differences between males and females. Research in sociology focuses on gender rather than sex; sociologists distinguish between sex and gender to study differences between human males and females with greater precision.
1. the fundamental distinction, found in most species of animals and plants, based on the type of gametes produced by the individual; also the category to which the individual fits on the basis of that criterion. Called also gender. See also gender identity and gender role.