/ ˈrɒtn; NAmE ˈrɑːtn/ adjective , adverb
■ adjective
1.
( of food, wood, etc. ) that has decayed and cannot be eaten or used :
the smell of rotten vegetables
The fruit is starting to go rotten .
rotten floorboards
2.
[ usually before noun ] ( informal ) very bad
SYN terrible :
I've had a rotten day!
What rotten luck!
She's a rotten singer.
3.
[ usually before noun ] ( informal ) dishonest :
The organization is rotten to the core .
4.
[ not before noun ] ( informal ) looking or feeling ill / sick :
She felt rotten.
5.
[ not before noun ] ( informal ) feeling guilty about sth you have done :
I feel rotten about leaving them behind.
6.
[ only before noun ] ( informal ) used to emphasize that you are angry or upset about sth :
You can keep your rotten money!
► rot·ten·ness noun [ U ]
•
IDIOMS
- a rotten apple
■ adverb
( informal ) to a large degree; very much :
She spoils the children rotten.
( BrE )
He fancies you (something) rotten.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old Norse rotinn .