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vegetate

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verb veg·e·tate \ ˈve-jə-ˌtāt \

Definition of vegetate

vegetated; vegetating
intransitive verb
1 :to lead a passive existence without exertion of body or mind
2 a :to grow in the manner of a plant; also :to grow exuberantly or with proliferation of fleshy or warty outgrowths
b :to produce vegetation
transitive verb
:to establish vegetation in or on

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Examples of vegetate in a Sentence

  1. I just spent the weekend vegetating at home.

  2. I'm worried that after I retire I'll just sit at home, watch TV, and vegetate.

Recent Examples of vegetate from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vegetate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of vegetate

borrowed from Late Latin vegetātus, past participle of vegetāre "to live, grow," going back to Latin, "to impart energy to, invigorate," verbal derivative of vegetus "vigorous, active, lively," probably, if from *vegitus, verbal adjective of vegēre "to give vigor to, enliven" — more at 1wake

VEGETATE Defined for English Language Learners

vegetate

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verb

Definition of vegetate for English Language Learners

  • : to spend time doing things that do not require much thought or effort : to be very lazy or inactive

Learn More about vegetate

  1. See words that rhyme with vegetate Spanish Central: Translation of vegetate Nglish: Translation of vegetate for Spanish speakers

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Examples: vegetate in a Sentence