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Definition of degeneracy

degeneracy

/dɪˈdʒɛn.ɚ.ə.si/
de · gen · er · a · cy
Adverb:degenerately
•
Plural:degeneracies
•
Adjective:degenerate
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degeneracy Lexical Profile

degeneracy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The state or property of being morally, culturally, or physically declined or deteriorated.

Example

"Historians have long debated whether internal political degeneracy contributed to the empire's collapse."

2

The property of having two or more distinct quantum mechanical states that share the exact same energy level, or in genetics, the coding of a single amino acid by multiple distinct codons.

Example

"Applying an external magnetic field lifts the energy degeneracy of the atomic orbitals."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for degeneracy

• Nearby Words

defuse
defuser
defy
degeneracy
degenerate
degeneration
degenerative

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in English from the adjective 'degenerate' and the suffix '-acy', ultimately tracing back to the Latin verb 'degenerare' ('to become unlike one's race or ancestors'), from 'de-' ('away from') and 'genus' ('birth' or 'descent').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Degeneracy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/degeneracy
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