Meaning & use
Rotten
Last updated
Decayed, decomposed, or spoiled, especially as a result of the natural breakdown of organic matter.
See it in a sentence
The apples at the bottom of the barrel had gone rotten.
He felt rotten about canceling plans with his friend at the last minute.
A note on using this word
Widely used informally to mean 'bad' or 'unpleasant,' as in 'a rotten day,' beyond its literal sense of decay.
Words with a similar meaning
decayedspoiled
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Morally corrupt or dishonest.
The investigation uncovered a rotten scheme at the heart of the company.
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