decay
noun/dɪˈkeɪ/
/dɪˈkeɪ/
[uncountable]- the process or result of being destroyed by natural causes or by not being cared for (= of decaying)
- tooth decay
- The landlord had let the building fall into decay.
- The smell of death and decay hung over the town.
- The decay of the wood will spread if it is not removed.
Extra Examples- My dentist could not find any signs of decay.
- Smoking accelerates age-related decay in the heart and arteries.
- The derelict buildings are the signs of a town in decay.
- the slow decay of the castle and the surrounding buildings
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- rapid
- slow
- dental
- …
- cause
- stop
- reverse
- …
- in decay
- decay in
- decay of
- …
- the process of decay
- signs of decay
- an odour/odor of decay
- …
- the process of a society, an institution, a system, etc. being gradually destroyed
- economic/moral/urban decay
- the decay of the old industries
Extra Examples- This government promises to reverse industrial decay.
- Without a lot of money, the mayor won't be able to stop urban decay.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- rapid
- slow
- dental
- …
- cause
- stop
- reverse
- …
- in decay
- decay in
- decay of
- …
- the process of decay
- signs of decay
- an odour/odor of decay
- …
- (physics) the process by which a radioactive substance changes to a different form by sending out radiation
- Radioactive decay happens at a constant rate regardless of exposure to air.
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French decair, based on Latin decidere ‘fall down or off’, from de- ‘from’ + cadere ‘fall’.
Check pronunciation:
decay