degenerate
de|gen|er|ate (degenerates degenerating degenerated)
The verb is pronounced /dɪdʒ'enəreɪt/ The adjective and noun are pronounced /dɪdʒ'enərət/
1 [VERB] V, V into n
If you say that someone or something degenerates, you mean that they become worse in some way, for example weaker, lower in quality, or more dangerous.
Inactivity can make your joints stiff, and the bones may begin to degenerate...
...a very serious humanitarian crisis which could degenerate into a catastrophe.
= deteriorate
● degeneration [N-UNCOUNT]
...various forms of physical and mental degeneration.
2 [ADJ]
If you describe a person or their behaviour as degenerate, you disapprove of them because you think they have low standards of behaviour or morality.
...a group of degenerate computer hackers.
3 [N-COUNT]
If you refer to someone as a degenerate, you disapprove of them because you think they have low standards of behaviour or morality.
The verb is pronounced /dɪdʒ'enəreɪt/ The adjective and noun are pronounced /dɪdʒ'enərət/
1 [VERB] V, V into n
If you say that someone or something degenerates, you mean that they become worse in some way, for example weaker, lower in quality, or more dangerous.
Inactivity can make your joints stiff, and the bones may begin to degenerate...
...a very serious humanitarian crisis which could degenerate into a catastrophe.
= deteriorate
● degeneration [N-UNCOUNT]
...various forms of physical and mental degeneration.
2 [ADJ]
If you describe a person or their behaviour as degenerate, you disapprove of them because you think they have low standards of behaviour or morality.
...a group of degenerate computer hackers.
3 [N-COUNT]
If you refer to someone as a degenerate, you disapprove of them because you think they have low standards of behaviour or morality.