INDEX:
1. to decay
2. something that has decayed
3. to make something decay
4. the process of decaying
RELATED WORDS
food that is not fresh : ↑ FRESH/NOT FRESH
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1. to decay
▷ decay /dɪˈkeɪ/ [intransitive verb]
if something decays, it is gradually destroyed by chemical changes - use this about dead plants or flesh, fruit or wood, or teeth :
▪ Freezing conditions will stop most things from decaying.
▪ Some of the apples lying on the ground had already begun to decay.
▪ In a warm climate where flesh decays rapidly, there is more risk of infection from dead animals.
▪ If you eat too many sweets, it’ll make your teeth decay.
decaying [adjective only before noun]
▪ the decaying remains of a dead sheep
▪ The stream was blocked by decaying vegetation.
▷ rot /rɒtǁrɑːt/ [intransitive verb]
to decay - use this especially about wood, vegetables, plants etc :
▪ If water gets inside the woodwork, it causes it to rot.
leave something to rot
▪ In some countries food is left to rot, while in others people are dying from hunger.
rot away
rot until it becomes extremely weak or gradually disappears
▪ The roof had fallen in and the floor had completely rotted away.
rotting [adjective]
▪ If you lift up a rotting log you will find all sorts of insects underneath.
▷ decompose /ˌdiːkəmˈpəʊz/ [intransitive verb]
to decay and gradually break up - use this about dead plants or flesh :
▪ As household refuse decomposes, it produces an explosive gas, methane.
▪ A dead fish in the aquarium will decompose rapidly, fouling the water badly.
decomposing [adjective only before noun]
▪ The men’s decomposing bodies were found in a shallow grave in Epping forest.
▷ go mouldy British /go moldy American /gəʊ ˈməʊldi/ [verb phrase]
if food goes mouldy, a soft green or black substance starts to grow on the surface, and it is not good to eat any more :
▪ Throw that bread away. It’s gone mouldy.
▪ If you don’t keep cheese in the fridge, it goes mouldy very quickly.
▷ rust /rʌst/ [intransitive verb]
if something made of iron rusts, it decays by becoming brown and rough, losing its strength, especially because it has not been protected from the damaging effects of water :
▪ Several of the pipes have rusted and will need to be replaced.
rust away
rust until something begins to break into pieces
▪ Parts of the floor of the car had simply rusted away.
rusting [adjective only before noun]
▪ The barn was full of rusting old farm machinery.
▷ corrode /kəˈrəʊd/ [intransitive verb]
if metal corrodes, it decays by becoming weak and changing its colour, especially because it has not been protected from the damaging effects of chemicals :
▪ By the time they found the wreckage of the plane, it had already started to corrode.
corroding [adjective only before noun]
▪ Corroding radiators are a problem because they may start to leak.
2. something that has decayed
▷ rotten /ˈrɒtnǁˈrɑːtn/ [adjective]
something that is rotten has decayed badly and often smells unpleasant - use this especially about wood, fruit, vegetables, plants etc :
▪ There was a disgusting smell in the house - a bit like rotten eggs.
▪ I wouldn’t climb that tree if I were you - some of the branches look rotten.
▪ a pile of rotten apples
▷ decayed /dɪˈkeɪd/ [adjective usually before noun]
decayed objects and materials are ones that are gradually being destroyed by natural chemical changes :
▪ Bees will often build their nests in decayed wood.
▪ Sixty years ago, the average 4 year old had 7 decayed or missing teeth.
▪ Even the stonework on the old house was decayed and crumbling.
▷ decomposed /ˌdiːkəmˈpəʊzd◂/ [adjective usually before noun]
decomposed flesh or plants are dead and are gradually being broken up and destroyed by natural chemical changes :
decomposed body/remains
▪ The girl’s decomposed body had been in the water for a long time.
badly/partially/half decomposed
▪ Coal is the partially decomposed remains of forests that covered the earth millions of years ago.
▪ Both men’s bodies were badly decomposed.
▷ mouldy British /moldy American /ˈməʊldi/ [adjective]
something that is mouldy has a soft green or black substance growing on its surface :
▪ All there was in the fridge was a piece of mouldy cheese and some tomatoes.
▪ The cupboards were damp and full of moldy old clothes.
go mouldy
▪ This pizza’s so old it’s gone mouldy!
▷ rusty /ˈrʌsti/ [adjective]
rusty metal has become rough and brown because it is decaying, especially because it has not been protected from the damaging effects of water and air :
▪ A rusty old car had been abandoned at the side of the road.
▪ I opened the rusty iron gate and walked up the path.
▪ The bicycle looked a bit rusty, but it worked.
rust [uncountable noun]
▪ You must remove all traces of rust before repainting the windows.
▷ corroded /kəˈrəʊdɪd, kəˈrəʊdəd/ [adjective]
metal that is corroded has become weak and has changed colour, especially because it has not been protected from the damaging effects of chemicals, water, and air :
▪ You should never use leaking or corroded batteries.
▪ Badly corroded metal gutters and downpipes should be replaced by the plastic type.
3. to make something decay
▷ rot /rɒtǁrɑːt/ [transitive verb]
▪ Bedtime drinks aimed at helping children to sleep may be rotting their teeth.
rot something away
▪ If you leave any water in the bottom of the boat, it’ll slowly rot it away.
▷ corrode /kəˈrəʊd/ [transitive verb]
if a chemical or chemical process corrodes a metal, it makes it decay :
▪ Acid can corrode most metals.
▪ Over the years, rain, wind, and sun had corroded the statue, turning the bronze a bright green.
corrosive /kəˈrəʊsɪv/ [adjective]
▪ That chemical is highly corrosive, so be careful.
4. the process of decaying
▷ decay /dɪˈkeɪ/ [uncountable noun]
▪ Tiny organisms that live in the soil assist the process of decay.
tooth decay
▪ Brushing your teeth regularly helps to fight against tooth decay.
▷ corrosion /kəˈrəʊʒ ə n/ [uncountable noun]
when a chemical or a chemical process makes a metal decay :
▪ The crash happened as a result of corrosion to the airplane’s fuselage.