rot

1 of 2

verb

ˈrät 

rotted; rotting

intransitive verb

1

a

: to undergo decomposition from the action of bacteria or fungi

b

: to become unsound or weak (as from use or chemical action)

2

a

: to go to ruin : deteriorate

b

: to become morally corrupt : degenerate

transitive verb

: to cause to decompose or deteriorate with or as if with rot

rot

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: the process of rotting : the state of being rotten : decay

b

: something rotten or rotting

2

a

archaic : a wasting putrescent disease

b

: any of several parasitic diseases especially of sheep marked by necrosis and wasting

c

: plant disease marked by breakdown of tissues and caused especially by fungi or bacteria

3

: nonsense

—often used interjectionally

Synonyms

Verb

• deteriorate
• crumble
• worsen
• descend
• decline

Noun

• nuts
• garbage
• nonsense
• rubbish
• blah
• drool
• stupidity
• muck
• silliness
• trash
• bunk

Choose the Right Synonym for rot

decay, decompose, rot, putrefy, spoil mean to undergo destructive dissolution.

decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection.

a decaying mansion

decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.

the strong odor of decomposing vegetation

rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness.

fruit was left to rot in warehouses

putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell.

corpses putrefying on the battlefield

spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods.

keep the ham from spoiling

Examples of rot in a Sentence

Verb

The wood had rotted away.

The apples were left to rot.

the smell of rotting garbage

Eating too much candy can rot your teeth.

Noun

They found a lot of rot in the house's roof.

That's a lot of rot!

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But when confronted with some 1,500 rotting rats, the zookeepers had a change of heart. —Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025

There are as many ways to compost as there are ways for food to rot, so Strategist writer and veteran composter Erin Schwartz spoke to six composting experts, policymakers, and home cooks for their tips on navigating the beautiful mess. —Erin Schwartz, Curbed, 13 Aug. 2025

Noun

In the Technicolor recesses of her mind, Thompson spins pop-culture brain rot, Irish history, and painfully honest observations about herself and the world around her into funny, wry hooks. —Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025

Blossom-end rot can be closely associated with soil moisture that is too wet or too dry. —Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English roten, from Old English rotian; akin to Old High German rōzzēn to rot

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rot

• bit rot
• black rot
• brown rot
• dry rot
• ear rot
• foot rot
• left to rot in jail/prison
• noble rot
• root rot
• soft rot
• stop the rot
• the rot sets in

Rhymes for rot

• aught
• baht
• blot
• bott
• bought
• brought
• caught
• clot
• cot
• cott
• dot
• fought

Kids Definition

rot

1 of 2 verb

ˈrät 

rotted; rotting

1

a

: to decay due to the action of fungi or bacteria

b

: to become unsafe or weak (as from use or chemical action)

2

: to go to ruin

3

: to cause to rot

rot

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: the process of rotting : the state of being rotten

b

: something rotten or rotting

2

a

: a disease of plants or animals marked by the decay of tissue

b

: an area of decayed tissue

pruned the rot from the tree trunk

3

: nonsense sense 1

don't talk rot

Medical Definition

rot

1 of 2 intransitive verb

ˈrät 

rotted; rotting

: to undergo decomposition from the action of bacteria or fungi

rot

2 of 2 noun

1

: the process of rotting : the state of being rotten

2

: any of several parasitic diseases especially of sheep marked by necrosis and wasting