Degenerate

B2 16+

Pronunciation: /dɪˈdʒɛnəˌreɪt/

Definitions of degenerate

noun a person whose behavior or attitudes have declined to a lower standard

Example Sentences

A1 I heard that he was a degenerate who spent all his money on gambling.

A2 The police arrested the degenerate for causing a disturbance in the park.

B1 The degenerate was known for his reckless behavior and disregard for authority.

B2 The artist's work was considered degenerate by the critics, but loved by the public.

C1 The degenerate lifestyle of the wealthy elite was a topic of much discussion among social commentators.

C2 The novel explores the complex psychology of a degenerate character who struggles with addiction and self-destruction.

verb to decline or deteriorate in quality or value

Example Sentences

A1 He degenerates into a lazy lifestyle.

A2 The old building has started to degenerate due to lack of maintenance.

B1 The company's reputation degenerated after the scandal.

B2 The once thriving neighborhood has degenerated into a crime-ridden area.

C1 The political discourse has degenerated into personal attacks and mudslinging.

C2 The artist's work degenerated in quality as he focused more on commercial success.

Examples of degenerate in a Sentence

formal The scientist studied the effects of degenerate matter in the universe.

informal I heard that guy is a degenerate gambler.

slang Don't hang out with him, he's a total degenerate.

figurative The city's infrastructure has become degenerate over the years.

Grammatical Forms of degenerate

past tense

degenerated

plural

degenerates

comparative

more degenerate

superlative

most degenerate

present tense

degenerates

future tense

will degenerate

perfect tense

has degenerated

continuous tense

is degenerating

singular

degenerate

positive degree

degenerate

infinitive

to degenerate

gerund

degenerating

participle

degenerated

Origin and Evolution of degenerate

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'degenerate' originated from the Latin word 'degeneratus', which means 'having sunk from a former or original state'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in a biological context to describe organisms that have declined from a previous state of vitality, the term 'degenerate' has evolved to also describe people or things that have declined morally or intellectually.