- 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.
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 of rotten
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 rotRelated Forms:
- rottenly
adverb
- rottenness
noun
rotten
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.
adverb
To a very great degree: The child is spoiled rotten.
Origin of rotten
Middle English roten, from Old Norse rotinn.Related Forms:
- rot′ten·ly
adverb
- rot′ten·ness
noun
rotten
Adjective
(comparative rottener or more rotten, superlative rottenest or most rotten)
- Of perishable items, overridden with bacteria and other infectious agents.
- If you leave a bin unattended for a few weeks, the rubbish inside will turn rotten.
- In a state of decay.
- The floors were damaged and the walls were rotten.
- His mouth stank and his teeth were rotten.
- Cruel, mean or immoral.
- That man is a rotten father.
- This rotten policy will create more injustice in this country.
- Bad or terrible.
- Why is the weather always rotten in this city?
- It was a rotten idea to take the boat out today.
- She has the flu and feels rotten.
Usage notes
- Nouns to which "rotten" is often applied: wood, food, egg, meat, fruit, tomato, apple, banana, milk, vegetable, stuff, tooth, smell, person, kid, bastard, scoundrel, weather.
Adverb
(comparative more rotten, superlative most rotten)
- To an extreme degree.
- That kid is spoilt rotten.
- The girls fancy him something rotten.
Anagrams
Origin
From Middle English roten, from Old Norse rotinn (“decayed, rotten”), past participle of an unrecorded verb related to Old Norse rotna (“to rot”) and Old English rotian (“to rot”). More at rot.
