Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Rot

//ɹɒt// name, noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    Abbreviation of refugee Olympics team (country code for the team). abbreviation, alt-of
Noun
  1. 1
    The process of becoming rotten; putrefaction. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    Initialism of record of transmission. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism, uncountable
  3. 3
    unacceptable behavior (especially ludicrously false statements) wordnet
  4. 4
    Decaying matter. countable, uncountable

    "When a turkey vulture detects the scent of rot, it circles down, tracing the plume of chemicals to its source."

  5. 5
    (biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action wordnet
Show 3 more definitions
  1. 6
    Any of several diseases in which breakdown of tissue occurs. countable, in-compounds, uncountable

    "His cattle must of rot and murrain die."

  2. 7
    a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor wordnet
  3. 8
    Verbal nonsense. uncountable

    "You're talking rot! I don't believe a word."

Verb
  1. 1
    To suffer decomposition due to biological action, especially by fungi or bacteria. intransitive

    "The apple left in the cupboard all that time had started to rot."

  2. 2
    become physically weaker wordnet
  3. 3
    To decline in function or utility. intransitive

    "Your brain will rot if you spend so much time on the computer, Tony!"

  4. 4
    break down wordnet
  5. 5
    To (cause to) deteriorate in any way, as in morals; to corrupt. ambitransitive
Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    To make putrid; to cause to be wholly or partially decomposed by natural processes. transitive

    "to rot vegetable fiber"

  2. 7
    To spend a long period of time (in an unpleasant place or state). figuratively, intransitive

    "to rot in prison"

  3. 8
    To expose, as flax, to a process of maceration, etc., for the purpose of separating the fiber; to ret. transitive
  4. 9
    To talk nonsense. dated, slang

    "“Did they hang you well?” said Porson. “Don’t rot,” said Mr Watkins; “I don’t like it.”"

Etymology

Etymology 1

Inherited from Middle English roten, rotten, from Old English rotian (“to rot, become corrupted, ulcerate, putrefy”), from Proto-West Germanic *rotēn, from Proto-Germanic *rutāną (“to rot”).

Etymology 2

Inherited from Middle English roten, rotten, from Old English rotian (“to rot, become corrupted, ulcerate, putrefy”), from Proto-West Germanic *rotēn, from Proto-Germanic *rutāną (“to rot”).

See also for "rot"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Want a quick game? Try Word Finder.