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1. Dictionary

   decay

   /dɪˈkeɪ/

   verb

   • 1. (of organic matter) rot or decompose through the action of bacteria and fungi: "the body had begun to decay" Similar decomposerotputrefygo badgo offspoilfesterperishdeterioratedegradebreak downbreak upmouldershrivelshrivel upwithertechnical:mortifynecrotizesphacelatearchaic:corrupt
   • ▪ cause to rot or decompose: "the fungus will decay soft timber"
   • ▪ fall into disrepair; deteriorate: "facilities decay when money is not spent on refurbishment" Similar deterioratedegeneratedeclinego downhillslumpslipslidego to rack and ruingo to seedrun to seedworsencrumbledisintegratefall to piecescome apart at the seamsfall into disrepairbecome dilapidatedfailwaneebbdwindlecollapseinformal:go to potgo to the dogshit the skidsgo down the tubesgo down the toiletgo to the packOpposite improve
   • ▪ decline in quality, power, or vigour: "the moral authority of the party was decaying"
   • ▪ (of a radioactive substance, particle, etc.) undergo change to a different form by emitting radiation: "the trapped radiocarbon begins to decay at a known rate"
   • ▪ (of a physical quantity) undergo a gradual decrease: "the time taken for the current to decay to zero"

   noun

   • 1. the state or process of rotting or decomposition: "hardwood is more resistant to decay than softwood" Similar decompositionrottinggoing badputrefactionputrescenceputridityfesteringspoilageperishingwitheringshrivellingrotmouldmildewfungusarchaic:corruptionrotrottingcorrosioncorrodingdecompositioncariescavitiesholesrare:cariosity
   • ▪ rotten matter or tissue: "fluoride heals small spots of decay"
   • ▪ structural or physical deterioration: "the old barn rapidly fell into decay" Similar deteriorationdegenerationdebasementdegradationdeclineslippingwaningebbshrinkingwitheringweakeningatrophycrumblingdisintegrationcollapselapsefallfailureformal:devolutiondated:decadenceOpposite improvement
   • ▪ the process of declining in quality, power, or vigour: "the problems of urban decay"
   • ▪ the change of a radioactive substance, particle, etc. into another by the emission of radiation: "the gas radon is produced by the decay of uranium in rocks and soil"
   • ▪ gradual decrease in the magnitude of a physical quantity: "the required time constant for current decay is 1 ms"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French decair, based on Latin decidere ‘fall down or off’, from de- ‘from’ + cadere ‘fall’.

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • C

     3

   • A

     1

   • Y

     4

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishDECAY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   to become gradually damaged, worse, or less; to cause something to do this: Sugar makes your teeth decay. The role of the extended family has been decaying for some time. Pollution has decayed the surface of the stonework on the front of the cathedral. the smell of decaying meat. [ I ] physics specialized.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › decayDecay Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › decay

   • Cached

   The meaning of DECAY is to undergo decomposition. How to use decay in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Decay.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryDECAY | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   to become gradually damaged, worse, or less; to cause something to do this: Sugar makes your teeth decay. The role of the extended family has been decaying for some time. Pollution has decayed the surface of the stonework on the front of the cathedral. the smell of decaying meat. [ I ] physics specialized.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishDECAY definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   decay implies either entire or partial deterioration by progressive natural changes: Teeth decay. decompose suggests the reducing of a substance to its component elements: Moisture makes some chemical compounds decompose. disintegrate emphasizes the breaking up, going to pieces, or wearing away of anything, so that its original wholeness is ...

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › decayDECAY Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › decay

   • Cached

   Decay definition: to become decomposed; rot. See examples of DECAY used in a sentence.

7. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › decayDecay - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › decay

   To decay means to rot, decompose, break down. Our bodies—anything organic—will decay after death. Broken sidewalks, potholes, graffiti are all signs of urban decay. Tooth decay is something to avoid. Decay can also mean decline.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishMeaning of decay – Learner’s Dictionary - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

   • Cached

   to gradually become bad or weak or be destroyed, often because of natural causes like bacteria or age: decaying leaves. Sugar makes your teeth decay. decay. noun [ U ] the process of decaying: tooth decay. Many of the buildings had fallen into decay.