Word
decayed
Phoneticsde·cayed
US/dəˈkeɪd/
UK/dɪkˈeɪd/
Definition
v. to fall into a bad state because of age, disease, or lack of care. You use this to describe things like old buildings, old teeth, or old wood.
v. to undergo a process of deterioration or disintegration, typically due to age, disease, or environmental factors. Often used in biological contexts to describe the breakdown of organic matter.
Examples
“The old wooden fence has decayed over the years.”
“The dentist explained that the decayed tooth needed to be removed before the infection could spread to the rest of the jaw.”
“The once-magnificent palace stood in ruins, its stone walls decayed by centuries of exposure to the harsh coastal winds and relentless salt spray.”
Examples
simple
“The old wooden fence has decayed over the years.”
contextual
“The dentist explained that the decayed tooth needed to be removed before the infection could spread to the rest of the jaw.”
complex
“The once-magnificent palace stood in ruins, its stone walls decayed by centuries of exposure to the harsh coastal winds and relentless salt spray.”
Real-World Examples
“The sickle's decayed handle was made of birch wood, a material historically believed to have magical properties that could protect the living from evil spirits.” “Teeth are the most durable part of the skeleton and often survive long after the rest of the body has decayed.”