decayed

Thân thiện

The old wooden fence has decayed and fallen over.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless: Having undergone a process of decomposition, deterioration, or rot, resulting in a state of being broken down, weakened, or no longer functional.
   • Rotten or decomposed: Describing organic matter that has broken down, often due to the action of bacteria or fungi, typically accompanied by an unpleasant smell.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The decayed wood of the old pier made it too dangerous to walk on.
  • He had to have the decayed tooth extracted by the dentist.
  • The smell came from a pile of decayed leaves in the corner of the garden.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: Can describe abstract concepts that have deteriorated or declined from a former, better state.
  • The decayed morals of the empire contributed to its eventual collapse.
  • He lived in the decayed grandeur of a once-great mansion.

Variants and Related Words

• Decay (verb/noun): The process or state of rotting or deteriorating.
  • Verb: The fruit will decay if left in the sun.
  • Noun: The building fell into decay after years of neglect.
• Decadent (adjective): Often describes moral or cultural decline, or self-indulgence. (Note: While related in concept to decline, "decadent" is not a direct synonym for "decayed").
  • The novel portrayed the decadent lifestyle of the aristocracy.

Synonyms

• Rotten: Decomposed and putrid.
• Decomposed: Having decayed and broken down into simpler components.
• Rotted: Having undergone rot.
• Putrid: Decayed and emitting a foul smell.
• Spoiled (especially for food): No longer fit for consumption.

Antonyms

• Sound: In good condition; solid and intact.
• Fresh: Newly made or gathered; not spoiled.
• Intact: Not damaged or impaired in any way.
• Preserved: Kept from decay or decomposition.

Related Phrases

• Fallen into decay: A state of having deteriorated due to neglect.
  • The historic castle had fallen into decay.
• Decayed beyond repair: So thoroughly decayed that it cannot be fixed or restored.
  • The ship's hull was decayed beyond repair.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless
   • rotten floor boards
   • rotted beams
   • a decayed foundation

Từ đồng nghĩa

• rotten
• rotted