Deteriorated
[dɪˈtɪəriəreɪtɪd]
Definitions
2 meaningsTo become progressively worse in quality or condition.
[dɪˈtɪəriəreɪt]
To become progressively worse.
The weather deteriorated, and we had to cancel the picnic.
💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite toy gets older and older. If it starts to break or not work as well, we could say it's 'deteriorating'! It's like going from good to bad.
👶 For kids: To get worse and worse.
More Examples
His eyesight deteriorated as he got older.
The quality of the product deteriorated after the company cut corners.
How It's Used
"The economy deteriorated during the recession."
"Her health rapidly deteriorated after the surgery."
"The condition of the building deteriorated over the years due to neglect."
Having become or been made worse.
[dɪˈtɪəriəreɪtɪd]
Having worsened; degraded
The deteriorated paint on the house made it look very unappealing.
💡 Simply: If something is 'deteriorated', it means it's already not great and it's getting worse.
👶 For kids: When something that wasn't good is now even worse!
More Examples
The food had a deteriorated taste because it wasn't stored correctly.
The deteriorated quality of the paper made it hard to write on.
How It's Used
"The deteriorated condition of the road required immediate repairs."
"The deteriorated artifacts were carefully documented before restoration."
Synonyms
Decay
Decline
Degenerate
Degrade
Damaged
Declined
Degraded
From Late Latin *dēteriorātus*, past participle of *dēteriorāre* 'to make worse', from *dēterior* 'worse'.
The word 'deteriorate' started appearing in English texts in the late 16th century, reflecting a growing concern with decline and decay in various aspects of life.
Memory tip
Think of the word 'terrible' - to deteriorate is to make something more terrible.
Practice
Word Origin
Prefix: de- (down, away)
Suffix: -ate (to make)