In this article, you’ll discover a variety of words that start with the prefix “de,” enhancing your vocabulary and comprehension of their uses.
- Debate- A formal discussion on a particular topic where opposing arguments are put forward.
- Decade- A period of ten years.
- Decay- The process of rotting or deterioration.
- Deceit- The action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth.
- Decent- Conforming to the recognized standard of propriety, good taste, modesty, etc.
- Decision- A conclusion or resolution reached after consideration.
- Declare- Formally announce or proclaim something.
- Decline- A gradual and continuous loss of strength, numbers, quality, or value.
- Decorate- Make something look more attractive by adding extra items or images to it.
- Decrease- Make or become smaller or fewer in size, amount, intensity, or degree.
- Dedicate- Devote (time, effort, or oneself) to a particular task or purpose.
- Deed- A legal document that is signed and delivered, especially one regarding the ownership of property or legal rights.
- Deem- Regard or consider in a specified way.
- Deepen- Make or become deep or deeper.
- Defeat- Win a victory over (someone) in a battle or other contest; overcome or beat.
- Defect- A shortcoming, imperfection, or lack.
- Defend- Resist an attack made on (someone or something); protect from harm or danger.
- Define- State or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of.
- Deflate- Let air or gas out of (a tire, balloon, or similar object).
- Deflect- Cause (something) to change direction by interposing something; turn aside from a straight course.
- Deform- Distort the shape or form of; make misshapen.
- Defraud- Illegally obtain money from (someone) by deception.
- Defuse- Remove the fuse from (an explosive device) or the threats, tensions, or dangers in a situation.
- Degenerate- Decline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally.
- Delay- Make (someone or something) late or slow.
- Delegate- A person sent or authorized to represent others, in particular an elected representative sent to a conference.
- Delete- Remove or obliterate (written or printed matter), especially by drawing a line through it or marking it with a delete sign.
- Delight- Great pleasure.
- Deliver- Bring and hand over (a letter, parcel, or ordered goods) to the proper recipient or address.
- Demand- An insistent and peremptory request, made as if by right.
- Demise- A person’s death.
- Democracy- A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
- Demolish- Pull or knock down (a building).
- Demonstrate- Clearly show the existence or truth of (something) by giving proof or evidence.
- Demoralize- Cause (someone) to lose confidence or hope.
- Denote- Be a sign of; indicate.
- Deny- State that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of.
- Depart- Leave, typically in order to start a journey.
- Depend- Be controlled or determined by.
- Depict- Show or represent by a drawing, painting, or other art forms.
- Deplete- Use up the supply or resources of.
- Deploy- Move (troops or equipment) into position for military action.
- Depose- Remove from office suddenly and forcefully.
- Deposit- A sum of money placed or kept in a bank account, usually to gain interest.
- Depress- Cause someone to feel utterly dispirited or dejected.
- Deprive- Deny (a person or place) the possession or use of something.
- Depth- The distance from the top or surface to the bottom of something.
- Depute- Appoint or instruct (someone) to perform a task for you.
- Derail- Cause (a train or trolley) to leave its tracks accidentally.
- Derive- Obtain something from (a specified source).
- Descend- Move or fall downward.
- Describe- Give an account in words of (someone or something), including all the relevant characteristics, qualities, or events.
- Desert- Abandon (a person, cause, or organization) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous.
- Deserve- Do something or have or show qualities worthy of (reward or punishment).
- Design- Decide upon the look and functioning of (a building, garment, or other object), typically by making a detailed drawing of it.
- Desire- A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.
- Desist- Stop doing something; cease or abstain.
- Desk- A piece of furniture with a flat top and one or more legs, providing a level surface on which objects can be placed.
- Desolate- (of a place) deserted of people and in a state of bleak and dismal emptiness.
- Despair- The complete loss or absence of hope.
- Despise- Feel contempt or a deep repugnance for.
- Despite- Without being affected by; in spite of.
- Destination- The place to which someone or something is going or being sent.
- Destroy- Put an end to the existence of (something) by damaging or attacking it.
- Detach- Disengage (something or part of something) and remove it.
- Detail- An individual feature, fact, or item.
- Detain- Officially seize and hold (a person).
- Detect- Discover or identify the presence or existence of.
- Deter- Discourage (someone) from doing something by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences.
- Deteriorate- Become progressively worse.
- Determine- Cause (something) to occur in a particular way; be the decisive factor in.
- Detest- Dislike intensely.
- Detonate- Explode or cause to explode.
- Detour- A long or roundabout route taken to avoid something or to visit somewhere along the way.
- Detract- Reduce or take away the worth or value of.
- Develop- Grow or cause to grow and become more mature, advanced, or elaborate.
- Device- A thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, especially a piece of mechanical or electronic equipment.
- Devise- Plan or invent (a complex procedure, system, or mechanism) by careful thought.
- Devote- Give all or a large part of one’s time or resources to (a person, activity, or cause).
- Devour- Eat (food or prey) hungrily or quickly.
- Dew- Tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces at night, when atmospheric vapor condenses.
- Diagnose- Identify the nature of (an illness or other problem) by examination of the symptoms.
- Diagram- A simplified drawing showing the appearance, structure, or workings of something; a schematic representation.
- Dialect- A particular form of a language which is peculiar to a specific region or social group.
- Dialogue- Conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or movie.
- Diameter- A straight line passing from side to side through the center of a body or figure, especially a circle or sphere.
- Diamond- A precious stone consisting of a clear and typically colorless crystalline form of pure carbon, the hardest naturally occurring substance.
- Diaper- A piece of absorbent material wrapped around a baby’s bottom and between its legs to absorb and retain urine and feces.
- Diary- A book in which one keeps a daily record of events and experiences.
- Dictate- Lay down authoritatively; prescribe.
- Die- Stop living.
- Diet- The kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats.
- Differ- Be unlike or dissimilar.
- Difficult- Needing much effort or skill to accomplish, deal with, or understand.
- Diffuse- Spread or cause to spread over a wide area or among a large number of people.
- Dig- Break up and move earth with a tool or machine, or with hands, paws, snout, etc.
- Digest- Break down (food) in the alimentary canal into substances that can be absorbed and used by the body.
- Digital- Involving or relating to the use of computer technology.
- Dignity- The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.
- Dilate- Make or become wider, larger, or more open.