rot
rot Lexical Profile
rot Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The process of decaying or decomposing, especially of organic matter through the action of bacteria or fungi.
"Moisture trapped inside the wooden beams caused severe rot throughout the cellar."
Gradual moral, social, or institutional decline and corruption.
"The investigation exposed deep-seated institutional rot within the municipal government."
British Foolish, absurd, or nonsensical talk or writing.
"He dismissed the rumor as utter rot and refused to discuss it further."
• verb
To decay or cause to decay by the natural action of bacteria and fungi; to decompose.
"Uncollected apples will quickly rot on the damp ground."
To gradually deteriorate, weaken, or waste away from lack of activity, care, or moral standards.
"The abandoned boats were left to rot in the shallow harbor."
• Rhymes for rot
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English rotian ('to decay, putrefy'), derived from Proto-Germanic *rutjana, which is also the source of Dutch rotten and German rotten.