Word
degenerative
Phoneticsde·gen·er·a·tive, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈdʒɛnɝətɪv/
UK/dɪdʒˈɛnəɹətˌɪv/
Definition
adj. describing a disease or physical condition that gets worse over time. It is often used to talk about health problems that affect the brain or body as people get older.
adj. characterised by progressive, often irreversible deterioration of cells, tissues, or organs. Often used in medical contexts to describe chronic conditions that result in a loss of function.
Examples
“Arthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the joints.”
“Doctors are researching new treatments to slow down the degenerative effects of the condition on the patient's nervous system.”
“While some injuries heal with rest, degenerative conditions require long-term management strategies to maintain the patient's quality of life as the underlying structures continue to weaken.”
Examples
simple
“Arthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the joints.”
contextual
“Doctors are researching new treatments to slow down the degenerative effects of the condition on the patient's nervous system.”
complex
“While some injuries heal with rest, degenerative conditions require long-term management strategies to maintain the patient's quality of life as the underlying structures continue to weaken.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun like 'disease', 'condition', or 'process'.
Real-World Examples
“In degenerative eye diseases, although the photoreceptors are lost, much of this underlying circuitry remains intact but inactive.” “A new study says at least one in four ex-NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had a degenerative brain disease but the true figure could be much higher.” Etymology
From degenerate + -ive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/degenerative