decay

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /dɪˈkeɪ/
• (US) enPR: dē-kāʹ, IPA ^(key): /di.ˈkeɪ/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form decay

Third-person singular decays

Past tense decayed

Past participle decayed

Present participle decaying

1. If something decays it rots.
   • Synonyms: rot, spoil and decompose

   The body decayed.

   My teeth were decaying because I ate too much sugar.

2. If something decays it gets weaker and is destroyed slowly.
   • Synonym: decline

   Their empire decayed because the leaders were fools.

3. If something decays it fades away.

Noun

Singular decay

Plural none

1. (uncountable) Decay is the act of decaying.

   Nothing could stop the decay at the time.

2. (uncountable) Decay is material (stuff) that is decaying or has decayed.

   My teeth were full of decay.