An Encylopedia Britannica Company

June 27, 2021 Word of the Day

deteriorate /dɪˈtirijəˌreɪt/ verb
deteriorate
/dɪˈtirijəˌreɪt/
verb

deteriorates; deteriorated; deteriorating

The bridge is deteriorating.
The bridge is deteriorating.
Definition of DETERIORATE

1 [no object] : to become worse as time passes

  • The weather gradually deteriorated [=worsened] as the day went on.

  • Her health continues to deteriorate. [=decline]

  • efforts to save a deteriorating rain forest

  • The disagreement deteriorated into a fight. [=the disagreement got worse and eventually became a fight]

2 [+ object] : to make (something) worse

  • Exposure to rain and sun will gradually deteriorate the paint.

deteriorated adjective

  • a deteriorated [=run-down, dilapidated] building

  • a badly deteriorated part of the city

More Words of the Day