Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To cause (a metal or other material) to deteriorate or be destroyed gradually, especially by chemical action such as oxidation or acid attack.
   • To weaken or destroy (something) steadily and progressively.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To become worn away, weakened, or destroyed gradually, especially by chemical action.

Usage

• Transitive verb: Use when an agent (like acid, water, or air) actively causes the deterioration of an object.
  • The acidic rainwater corrodes the statue.
• Intransitive verb: Use when the object itself undergoes the process of deterioration.
  • If left untreated, the iron fence will corrode.

Examples

• Transitive usage:
  • Salt spray from the ocean corrodes the steel supports of the pier.
  • Jealousy can corrode even the strongest friendship over time.
• Intransitive usage:
  • The copper roof has begun to corrode, developing a green patina.
  • Trust between them corroded after the repeated betrayals.

Advanced Usage

• In a technical/scientific context: Often describes electrochemical processes like rusting (for iron) or tarnishing.
  • The alloy is designed to resist corroding in high-temperature, high-salinity environments.
• In a figurative/abstract context: Describes the gradual degradation of non-physical things like relationships, morals, or institutions.
  • Cynicism corroded his once-idealistic outlook.

Variants and Related Words

• Corrosion (n): The process of corroding or the condition produced by it.
  • The bridge was closed due to severe corrosion in its main cables.
• Corrosive (adj): Having the quality of corroding or eating away; (figuratively) bitterly sarcastic.
  • Hydrochloric acid is a corrosive substance.
  • She made a corrosive remark about his failure.
• Corrodible (adj): Capable of being corroded.

Synonyms

• Erode: To wear away gradually (often used for land/soil by natural forces, but can overlap figuratively).
• Oxidize: To combine with oxygen, a specific chemical process that often causes corrosion in metals.
• Deteriorate: To become progressively worse (a more general term).
• Eat away (at): To gradually destroy or consume (often used both literally and figuratively).

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Corrode away: Emphasizes the complete or ongoing process of corrosion.
  • The old pipes have corroded away almost entirely.
• Corrode through: To corrode to the point of creating a hole or breach.
  • The battery acid corroded through the metal casing.

Related Idioms

• • The scandal corroded public trust in the government. (Figurative use as an idiom of deterioration.)

Verb

1. become destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid
   • The metal corroded
   • The pipes rusted
2. cause to deteriorate due to the action of water, air, or an acid
   • The acid corroded the metal
   • The steady dripping of water rusted the metal stopper in the sink