This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
deteriorate
[ dih-teer-ee-uh-reyt ]
/ dɪˈtɪər i əˌreɪt /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with or without object), de·te·ri·o·rat·ed, de·te·ri·o·rat·ing.
to make or become worse or inferior in condition, character, quality, value, etc.
to disintegrate or wear away.
OTHER WORDS FOR deteriorate
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of deteriorate
OTHER WORDS FROM deteriorate
de·te·ri·o·ra·tive, adjectiveun·de·te·ri·o·rat·ed, adjectiveun·de·te·ri·o·ra·tive, adjectiveWords nearby deteriorate
detention home, deter, deterge, detergency, detergent, deteriorate, deteriorating, deterioration, determinable, determinacy, determinant
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use deteriorate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for deteriorate
deteriorate
/ (dɪˈtɪərɪəˌreɪt) /
verb
to make or become worse or lower in quality, value, character, etc; depreciate
(intr) to wear away or disintegrate
Derived forms of deteriorate
deterioration, noundeteriorative, adjectiveWord Origin for deteriorate
C16: from Late Latin dēteriōrāre, from Latin dēterior worse
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012