Word
deterioration
Phoneticsde·te·ri·o·ra·tion, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈtɪɹiɝˌeɪʃən/
UK/dɪtˌiəɹiəɹˈeɪʃən/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the process of becoming worse in quality or condition. You use this word when something gradually loses its value, strength, or health.
n. the process of becoming progressively worse in quality, value, or condition; decline.
Examples
“The deterioration of the old bridge worried the town council.”
“Doctors noted a rapid deterioration in his health after the surgery.”
“The slow deterioration of the manuscript's ink made it nearly impossible to read the final chapter without special lighting.”
Examples
simple
“The deterioration of the old bridge worried the town council.”
contextual
“Doctors noted a rapid deterioration in his health after the surgery.”
complex
“The slow deterioration of the manuscript's ink made it nearly impossible to read the final chapter without special lighting.”
Real-World Examples
“At first, I failed to recognise the significance of the deterioration in my violin technique.” “We have not found measurable acceleration of rock deterioration linked to current pollution.” Etymology
Borrowed from French détérioration; morphologically deteriorate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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