degenerative

adjective

de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive di-ˈje-nə-rə-tiv 

-ˈjen-rə-;

-ˈje-nə-ˌrā-;

dē-

: of, relating to, involving, or causing degeneration

a degenerative disease

Did you know?

Degenerative diseases—including cancer, glaucoma, Parkinson's, diabetes, arthritis, and leprosy—are usually contrasted with infectious diseases (diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa). However, many infectious diseases (Lyme disease, AIDS, etc.) can cause a body or body part to degenerate, and infective organisms play a part in some degenerative diseases. Some degenerative diseases can be controlled; some can even be cured. But no one has yet discovered a way to reverse such degenerative conditions as multiple sclerosis, emphysema, or Alzheimer's.

Examples of degenerative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the main problems of the degenerative brain disease is that it can only be confirmed as a diagnosis post-death once the brain is examined. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Wright died peacefully following complications from Marchiafava- Bignami disease, a rare degenerative neurological condition he was diagnosed with in 2015, and complications from heart failure, the family said. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2026

Wright died Wednesday in Los Angeles of heart failure and complications from Marchiafava-Bignami disease, a rare degenerative neurological disorder, TMZ reported. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2026

Family members confirmed to TMZ that Wright died Wednesday from heart failure and complications of Marchiafava-Bignami, a rare degenerative neurological disease. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1680, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for degenerative

• regenerative
• generative
• neurodegenerative

Kids Definition

degenerative

adjective

de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive di-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-iv 

-ˈjen-(ə-)rət-iv

: of, relating to, or tending to cause degeneration

a degenerative disease

Medical Definition

degenerative

adjective

de·​gen·​er·​a·​tive di-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-iv  -ˈjen-(ə-)rət- 

: of, relating to, involving, or tending to cause degeneration

degenerative conditions of the nervous system

—Morris Fishbein

degenerative changes

a degenerative muscle disorder