rot

Meaning

Verb

1. (intransitive) To suffer decomposition due to biological action, especially by fungi or bacteria.
2. (intransitive) To decline in function or utility.
3. (ambitransitive) To (cause to) deteriorate in any way, as in morals; to corrupt.
4. (transitive) To make putrid; to cause to be wholly or partially decomposed by natural processes.
5. (figuratively, intransitive) To spend a long period of time (in an unpleasant place or state).
6. (transitive) To expose, as flax, to a process of maceration, etc., for the purpose of separating the fiber; to ret.
7. (dated, slang) To talk nonsense.

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) The process of becoming rotten; putrefaction.
2. (countable, uncountable) Decaying matter.
3. (countable, in-compounds, uncountable) Any of several diseases in which breakdown of tissue occurs.
4. (uncountable) Verbal nonsense.

Synonyms

decay

putrefy

decompose

spoil

go bad

decomposition

putrefaction

corrode

moulder

nonsense

molder

corrupt

become rotten

cause to rot

fester

rotting

rotten

corruption

rottenness

rubbish

ruin

deteriorate

bunk

deterioration

decline

waste away

waste

become carious

decaying

degenerate

bunkum

become bad

become putrid

stink

ferment

buncombe

spoilt

wither

mould

disintegration

hogwash

breakdown

guff

putrescence

codswallop

destroyed

denigrate

canker

bollocks

foulness

Translations

pourrir

verfaulen

pourriture

verrotten

marcire

faulen

rotten

verderben

vergaan

pudrirse

verwesen

pudrir

putrefazione

verrotten

σαπίζω

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɹɒt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: roten

Inherited from Old English: rotian

In summary

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”).