cheapen

English edit

Etymology edit

Verb edit

cheapen (third-person singular simple present cheapens, present participle cheapening, simple past and past participle cheapened)

(transitive) To decrease the value or price of; to make cheaper.
- 1961 November, “Talking of Trains: The North Eastern's new rail-mounted piling unit”, in Trains Illustrated, page 646:
  Now, covered concrete troughs to house the cables are laid parallel with the railway lines, cheapening maintenance because of improved accessibility for inspection and repair.
(transitive) To make vulgar.
- 2017 August 13, Brandon Nowalk, “Oldtown offers one last game-changing secret as Game Of Thrones goes behind enemy lines (newbies)”, in The Onion AV Club‎^[1]:
  The pace of the season can’t help but cheapen these scenes, but I can’t deny that it’s a blast. I’ve been critical of both the relative depopulation of the cast in this final run and the speedy, schematic narrative that checks off high points and moves on without really building to them.
(intransitive) To become cheaper.
(transitive, obsolete) To bargain for, ask the price of.
- 1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard:
  The maid was on the step, cheapening fish with a virulent lady who had a sieve-full to dispose of.