verb
Uncommon
rot
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.”
verb
1
To decay or break down through the action of bacteria or fungi.
"The fallen apples were left to rot in the orchard."
"Damp wood will rot if it isn't treated."
"Leave the leaves in a heap and they will rot into rich compost."
2
To decline gradually in condition, quality, or morale.
"He felt his ambition rot away after years in the same dead-end job."
"If the club keeps ignoring its fans, team spirit will slowly rot."
"Without fresh ideas, the whole department will rot from within."
noun
1
The process of decaying, or the decayed matter itself.
"There's rot in the window frame that needs replacing."
"The old boat's hull was riddled with rot below the waterline."
"Gardeners fear root rot when the soil stays too wet."
2
Nonsense; foolish talk (informal, chiefly British).
"Don't talk rot — of course it'll work."
"That's absolute rot, and you know it."
"I've never heard such utter rot in all my life!"
How to use rot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo decay physically, or (informally, especially in British English) rubbish/nonsense as a noun.
When to use it
"Rot" meaning nonsense ("what rot!") is dated/informal British usage, rarely heard in American English.
Common pairings
start to rot
wet rot
dry rot
talk rot
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Word forms
- Plural
- rots
- Third person singular
- rots
- Past tense
- rotted
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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.
