adj
Uncommon
degenerate
dih-JEH-nuh-riht
Degenerate (adj) means having declined from a former, better state; deteriorated. Example: “Critics called the sequel a degenerate version of the original film.”
adj
1
Having declined from a former, better state; deteriorated.
"Critics called the sequel a degenerate version of the original film."
noun
1
A person seen as morally corrupt or of poor character.
"The tabloids painted him as a degenerate gambler."
verb
1
To decline in quality, structure, or character over time.
"The debate quickly degenerated into shouting."
How to use degenerate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething (or someone) that has gotten worse, often morally or structurally.
Common mistake
Used as an adjective/verb it's fairly neutral and technical ("degenerate case"); as a noun describing a person it is a strong insult — use with care.
Common pairings
degenerate into chaos
moral degenerate
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Word forms
- Plural
- degenerates
- Third person singular
- degenerates
- Past tense
- degenerated
- Comparative
- more degenerate
- Superlative
- most degenerate
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Critics called the sequel a _____ version of the original film.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Latin dēgenerātus, from dē- ("down from") + genus ("kind, birth") — literally "having fallen from one's kind."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for degenerate
See all rhymes for degenerate →Frequently asked questions
What does “degenerate” mean?
The word “degenerate” means having declined from a former, better state; deteriorated. In plain terms, something (or someone) that has gotten worse, often morally or structurally.
How do you pronounce “degenerate”?
“Degenerate” is pronounced dih-JEH-nuh-riht (/dɪˈd͡ʒɛnəɹɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “degenerate” in a sentence?
Here is “degenerate” used in a sentence: “Critics called the sequel a degenerate version of the original film.”
What part of speech is “degenerate”?
Depending on how it is used, “degenerate” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “degenerate” come from?
The word “degenerate” comes from Latin. A learned borrowing from Latin dēgenerātus, from dē- ("down from") + genus ("kind, birth") — literally "having fallen from one's kind.".
Is “degenerate” a common word?
“Degenerate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “degenerate” have?
“Degenerate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having declined from a former, better state; deteriorated.
