rotten

word

/ˈɹɑtən/
RAH-tuhn
/ɹˈɒtən/
RO-tuhn

Definition

If something is rotten, it has decayed and is no longer good to eat or use, especially food or wood. It can also describe something very bad, unpleasant, or morally wrong.

Usage & Nuances

Common with food and wood: 'rotten fruit', 'rotten teeth', 'rotten floorboards'. Informally, it often means 'very bad' in phrases like 'a rotten day' or 'rotten luck'. It can also suggest bad character or corruption: 'a rotten system'.

Example Sentences

We found rotten wood under the stairs.

basic

That smell means the meat is rotten.

basic

I had a rotten day at work and just want to go home.

natural

They sold us rotten fruit and refused to give a refund.

natural

The whole deal felt rotten from the start.

natural

The banana is rotten.

basic