dry rot
noun
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dry rot
1 Americannoun
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Plant Pathology.
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a decay of seasoned timber, resulting in its becoming brittle and crumbling to a dry powder, caused by various fungi.
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any of various diseases of plants in which the rotted tissues are dry.
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any concealed or unsuspected inner decay.
dry-rot
2
American
[drahy-rot]
/ ˈdraɪˌrɒt /
verb (used with or without object)
dry-rotted,
dry-rotting
dry rot
British
noun
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crumbling and drying of timber, bulbs, potatoes, or fruit, caused by saprotrophic basidiomycetous fungi
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any fungus causing this decay, esp of the genus Merulius
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moral degeneration or corrupt practices, esp when previously unsuspected
Etymology
Origin of dry rot1
First recorded in 1785–95
Origin of dry-rot2
First recorded in 1865–70
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But BBC News has reported on many cases over the last year where work done was of such poor quality it has led to damp, black mould and, in some cases, dry rot.
From BBC • Jan. 22, 2026
The wood had badly deteriorated: There was dry rot, termites and water damage.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2024
Periodically, it has called out for reroofing, repair of dry rot, replacement of aging siding and a new coat of paint.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2023
A clever entrepreneur could establish a weight-loss program entirely on the basis of alerting people to the larvae and dry rot and beetle eggs that adulterate their favorite foods.
From New York Times • Dec. 27, 2021
They were Muggles who hated and despised magic in any form, which meant that Harry was about as welcome in their house as dry rot.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
