Deteriorate
/dɪˈtɪəriəreɪt/
Definitions
To make or become worse; to diminish or impair in quality or value.
/dɪˈtɪəriəreɪt/
To become progressively worse.
The old building began to deteriorate after years of neglect.
💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite toy. If you don't take care of it, it might start to break or get damaged, right? Deteriorate means the same thing – to get worse over time. Like, if you leave food out, it will deteriorate and go bad.
👶 For kids: To get worse or go bad, like when your ice cream melts on a hot day.
More Examples
Her health began to deteriorate after the accident.
The relationship started to deteriorate due to lack of communication.
How It's Used
"The environmental impact of the chemical plant caused the water quality to deteriorate."
"His eyesight started to deteriorate with age."
"The economic conditions began to deteriorate during the recession."
From Latin *dēterior* ('worse') + -ate (suffix forming verbs). The word entered English in the late 16th century.
The word has been used in English since the late 16th century. Early examples often described the degradation of physical objects or moral character.
Memory tip
Think of a door that's 'd'eteriorating: it's getting worse and falling apart.