What does debase mean?
Word: Debase
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Debase means to make something less valuable or less respected.
Synonyms: cheapen
Antonyms: enhance
How do you spell debase?
Syllables: de - base
Tricky part: The s sound near the end is the snag. Pupils write it as c or z, but this word has an s.
Watch out for: debace, debaze, debaice
Memory tip: Rulers once debased silver coins, so let S for silver settle that sound.
Debase in a sentence
Example 1: Careless printing can debase a fine painting when it is copied onto cheap posters.
Example 2: Our captain said that arguing with the umpire would debase the whole tournament.
Example 3: Some writers feel that endless advertising has begun to debase a great old song.
Fun Fact
The word has long been tied to money. For centuries, rulers debased their coins by mixing cheaper metal into the silver or gold, so each coin held less of its real value.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
d_b_se
a) e, a
b) e, i
c) i, a
d) e, e
Show answer
a) e, a. De comes first, as in decode, and the vowel before the s is the long a of late.
Word Cookie
One letter in this word is not needed. Find it:
debbase
a) d
b) s
c) e
d) b
Show answer
d) b. The b appears once only.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word debase as used in the sentence:
Constant interruptions only debase the class debate for everyone else.
a) decorate
b) defend
c) describe
d) degrade
Show answer
d) degrade. To degrade something is to lower its quality or the respect people have for it.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are misspelt. Choose the meaning of the one spelt correctly.
1. debase 2. dimminish 3. tarnnish 4. belitle
a) to bring down the worth of something
b) to make someone seem unimportant
c) to become smaller or weaker
d) to lose shine and turn dull
Show answer
a) to bring down the worth of something. Debase is the only clean spelling; tarnish, diminish and belittle are the correct forms of the rest.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which action would most likely debase a sports trophy?
a) polishing it before each big match
b) giving it to every team, win or lose
c) storing it inside a glass case
d) engraving past winners' names on it
Show answer
b) giving it to every team, win or lose
2. Critics say a new television show has debased the quiz format. What is their opinion?
a) The format is now more popular
b) The format now seems less worthy
c) The format is much older than it seems
d) The format is easy for others to copy
Show answer
b) The format now seems less worthy
