Corrode: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is often used to describe the chemical process where a material, typically a metal, is gradually destroyed by reacting with its environment, such as water or air.

• The acidic environment can corrode the pipes over time.
• Saltwater can corrode metal surfaces quickly.

Deteriorate is a broader term that can refer to the decline in condition, quality, or value over time. It can apply to various contexts, not just chemical reactions, like health, buildings, or relationships.

• The condition of the building has deteriorated over the years.
• His health started to deteriorate after the accident.

This word specifically refers to the red or orange coating that forms on the surface of iron or steel due to oxidation, often in the presence of moisture. It is commonly used in the context of metal objects.

• If you leave your bike in the rain, it might rust.
• The old car was covered in rust.

Erode is commonly used to describe the gradual wearing away of soil, rock, or land by natural forces such as water, wind, or ice. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the gradual destruction or diminution of something.

• The riverbanks began to erode after the heavy rains.
• Constant criticism can erode a person's confidence.