rot

19 synonyms and 1 antonym for rot, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To decay or break down through the action of bacteria or fungi.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

waste

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

spoil decay nonsense rubbish bunk rotting decomposition breakdown

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

decompose disintegrate moulder putrefy molder putrefaction guff bunkum buncombe hogwash

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To decay or break down through the action of bacteria or fungi.

“The fallen apples were left to rot in the orchard.”

decompose spoil decay disintegrate nonsense rubbish moulder waste putrefy molder

2. noun

The process of decaying, or the decayed matter itself.

“There's rot in the window frame that needs replacing.”

putrefaction guff bunk rotting bunkum decomposition breakdown buncombe hogwash

Opposites

soundness

How to use rot

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

start to rot wet rot dry rot talk rot

"Rot" meaning nonsense ("what rot!") is dated/informal British usage, rarely heard in American English.

Etymology

From Old English rotian, "to rot or become corrupted," going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning the same.

Full origin of rot →

Frequently asked questions

What does “rot” mean?

The word “rot” means to decay or break down through the action of bacteria or fungi. In plain terms, to decay physically, or (informally, especially in British English) rubbish/nonsense as a noun.

How do you pronounce “rot”?

“Rot” is pronounced rot (/ɹɑt/ in IPA).

How do you use “rot” in a sentence?

Here is “rot” used in a sentence: “The fallen apples were left to rot in the orchard.”

What is another word for “rot”?

Words with a similar meaning to “rot” include putrefy and molder.

What part of speech is “rot”?

Depending on how it is used, “rot” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “rot” come from?

The word “rot” comes from Old English. From Old English rotian, "to rot or become corrupted," going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning the same.

Is “rot” a common word?

“Rot” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “rot” have?

“Rot” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to decay or break down through the action of bacteria or fungi.

What is the difference between rot meaning decay and rot meaning nonsense?

As a verb and noun describing decay, rot refers to the physical breakdown of matter by bacteria or fungi, or a gradual decline in condition or quality. As an informal British noun, rot instead means nonsense or foolish talk, unrelated to physical decay.

Is "rot" meaning nonsense formal or informal?

The "nonsense" sense of rot is informal and chiefly used in British English, as in an exclamation like "what rot!"

What is the difference between rot and rotten?

Rot is the verb or noun describing the process of decay, while rotten is the adjective describing something that has already decayed or is in a state of decay.

People also searched

waste breakdown nonsense decay spoil rubbish bunk rotting decomposition molder putrefy buncombe

Nearby words

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