Rottenest: meaning, definitions and examples
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rottenest
[ ˈrɒtənəst ]
state of decay
The term 'rottenest' is used to describe something that is in the most advanced state of decay or decomposition. This word can refer to food, organic material, or sometimes metaphorically to people or ideas in a state of moral or social decline. It emphasizes the extreme degree of rottenness compared to other items. The use of superlatives such as 'rottenest' highlights the comparison among multiple items, indicating that one is worse than all others. This term is often used in casual conversation or in literary contexts to evoke strong imagery.
Synonyms
decayed, decomposed, foul, putrid.
Examples of usage
- The rottenest fruit in the basket had to be thrown away.
- That was the rottenest excuse I've ever heard!
- After days of neglect, the bread became the rottenest in the cupboard.
Translations
Translations of the word "rottenest" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mais podre
🇮🇳 सबसे सड़ियल
🇩🇪 verfaulteste
🇮🇩 paling busuk
🇺🇦 найгниліший
🇵🇱 najbardziej zgniły
🇯🇵 最も腐った
🇫🇷 le plus pourri
🇪🇸 el más podrido
🇹🇷 en çürük
🇰🇷 가장 썩은
🇸🇦 الأكثر تعفناً
🇨🇿 nejhnusnější
🇸🇰 najhnusnejší
🇨🇳 最腐烂的
🇸🇮 najbolj gnilo
🇮🇸 mest rotnu
🇰🇿 ең шіріген
🇬🇪 ყველაზე მჟავე
🇦🇿 ən çürük
🇲🇽 el más podrido
Etymology
The word 'rotten' comes from the Old English 'rōttan', which means to rot, decay, or perish. It is a Germanic term, akin to the Old Norse 'rotta' and Middle Dutch 'rotten', both of which carry the same meaning. The evolution of the word reflects a long-standing human concern with decay and decomposition, particularly in relation to food and organic materials. The superlative form, 'rottenest', follows standard English grammatical rules by adding the suffix '-est' to 'rotten'. Its usage dates back to at least the 14th century, as language evolved to better describe the state of decay in various contexts. Over time, it also acquired figurative meanings, allowing speakers to apply it to moral decline or overall negative conditions. Through literature and everyday speech, 'rottenest' has become a vivid descriptor for the most unpleasant or undesirable conditions.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #41,398, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.