Main Entry:

de·te·ri·o·rate

Pronunciation:

\di-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌrāt, dē-\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

de·te·ri·o·rat·ed; de·te·ri·o·rat·ing

Etymology:

Late Latin deterioratus, past participle of deteriorare, from Latin deterior worse, from de- + -ter (suffix as in Latin uter which of two) + -ior (comparative suffix) — more at whether, -er

Date:

1572

transitive verb 1 : to make inferior in quality or value : impair 2 : disintegrate intransitive verb : to become impaired in quality, functioning, or condition : degenerate <allowed a tradition of academic excellence to deteriorate> <his health deteriorated>

— de·te·ri·o·ra·tive \-ˌrā-tiv\ adjective