rot
Rot (verb) means to decay or break down through the action of bacteria or fungi. Example: “The fallen apples were left to rot in the orchard.”
How to use rot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo decay physically, or (informally, especially in British English) rubbish/nonsense as a noun.
"Rot" meaning nonsense ("what rot!") is dated/informal British usage, rarely heard in American English.
Word forms
rotted past tense, rots plural, rots singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fallen apples were left to _____ in the orchard.
Etymology
From Old English rotian, "to rot or become corrupted," going back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning the same.
Related words
Rhymes for rot
See all rhymes for 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.