# rot

/ˈɹɑt/ (US) · /ɹˈɒt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rot
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to decay

verb · CEFR B2

to break down or decay naturally, usually because of bacteria or fungi.

For teachers: to undergo decomposition through biological action. Intransitive or transitive use.

- The fallen apples began to rot on the damp ground after the storm.
- If the timber is not treated with a waterproof sealant, the constant exposure to moisture will cause the structural beams to rot within a few years.

### 2. to stay in a bad place

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to stay in an unpleasant place or situation for a very long time.

For teachers: to suffer or languish in a state of neglect or confinement over a prolonged period.

- He felt like he was rotting in that boring office job with no chance of promotion.
- The political prisoner was left to rot in a damp cell for a decade before the international community intervened.

### 3. decaying matter

noun · CEFR B2

the state of decaying, or the part of something that has decayed.

For teachers: the process of decomposition or the resulting decayed matter itself.

- The smell of rot coming from the old wooden boat was overwhelming.
- The surveyor identified significant dry rot in the floorboards, suggesting that the property had been poorly maintained for decades.

### 4. nonsense

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

silly talk or ideas that are not true.

For teachers: verbal nonsense or worthless ideas. Uncountable in this sense.

- Don't listen to him; he's talking absolute rot about the new manager.
- The editorial dismissed the politician's latest economic proposal as pure rot, arguing that the figures were entirely fabricated.

## Examples

- Don't listen to him; he is talking absolute rot.
- The politician's explanation for the missing funds was dismissed as pure rot by the investigative committee.
- While the initial proposal had merit, the subsequent amendments are utter rot and undermine the entire integrity of the project.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.