- The definition of rotten is someone or something extremely bad, corrupt, spoiled, unpleasant or decaying.
- A bad attitude is an example of something that would be described as a rotten attitude.
- A person who is bad at tennis is an example of someone who would be described as a rotten tennis player.
- A public official who accepts bribes is an example of a rotten individual.
- Food with mold growing on it is an example of something that would be described as rotten.
adjective
- in a decayed or decomposed state; spoiled, putrefied, tainted, etc.
- having a bad odor because of decomposition or decay; putrid; foul-smelling
- morally corrupt or offensive; dishonest, open to bribery, etc.
- unsound or weak, as if decayed within
- soft or easily broken as because of decomposition; friable: said of rocks, ice, etc.
- Slang very bad, unsatisfactory, nasty, etc.
Origin: Middle English roten from Old Norse rotinn from Indo-European an unverified form reud- from base an unverified form reu-, to tear, rip open (from source rude): probably used origin, originally of flax left to soak and rot
Related Forms:
- rottenly adverb
- rottenness noun
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
adjective rot·ten·er, rot·ten·est
- Being in a state of putrefaction or decay; decomposed.
- Having a foul odor resulting from or suggestive of decay; putrid.
- Made weak or unsound by rot: rotten floorboards.
- Morally corrupt or despicable: She's rotten to the core.
- Very bad; wretched: rotten weather.
To a very great degree: The child is spoiled rotten.
Origin: Middle English roten, from Old Norse rotinn.
Related Forms:
- rotˈten·ly adverb
- rotˈten·ness noun