The meaning of DEGENERATE is having declined or become less specialized (as in nature, character, structure, or function) from an ancestral or former state. How to use degenerate in a sentence.
DEGENERATE definition: to fall below a normal or desirable level in physical, mental, or moral qualities; deteriorate. See examples of degenerate used in a sentence.
DEGENERATE meaning: 1. to become worse in quality: 2. having very low moral standards of behaviour: 3. (of an…. Learn more.
If you say that someone or something degenerates, you mean that they become worse in some way, for example weaker, lower in quality, or more dangerous. Inactivity can make your joints stiff, and the bones may begin to degenerate. [VERB] From then on the whole tone of the campaign began to degenerate. [VERB]
- to decline in physical, mental, or moral qualities; deteriorate. 2. to diminish in quality; fall from a high or normal standard: The debate degenerated into a brawl.
degenerate (comparative more degenerate, superlative most degenerate) (of qualities) Having deteriorated, degraded or fallen from normal, coherent, balanced and desirable to undesirable and typically abnormal.
There are 13 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word degenerate, one of which is labelled obsolete, and four of which are considered offensive. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
degenerate, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...
Definition of degenerate verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
having lost, or become impaired with respect to, the qualities proper to the race or kind: a degenerate vine. characterized by or associated with degeneracy: degenerate times.