How to Pronounce "degenerate"
word
/dɪˈdʒɛnɝˌeɪt/, /dɪˈdʒɛnɝət/
dih-JEN-er-ayt, dih-JEN-er-uht
/dɪˈdʒɛnəˌɹeɪt/, /dɪˈdʒɛnəɹət/
dih-JEN-uh-rayt, dih-JEN-uh-ruht
Definition
To become worse in quality, character, or condition over time. As a noun, it can mean a person whose behavior is considered morally bad.
IPA Transcription
American English
/dɪˈdʒɛnɝˌeɪt/, /dɪˈdʒɛnɝət/
British English
/dɪˈdʒɛnəˌɹeɪt/, /dɪˈdʒɛnəɹət/
Simplified Pronunciation
US
dih-JEN-er-ayt, dih-JEN-er-uht
UK
dih-JEN-uh-rayt, dih-JEN-uh-ruht
Listen in Context
If you don't take care of your teeth, they can degenerate over time.
The city's roads began to degenerate after years without repairs.
Some diseases can cause muscles to degenerate quickly.
After the scandal, many said the organization had completely degenerated.