rotten

1 of 2

adjective

rot·​ten ˈrä-tᵊn How to pronounce rotten (audio)
1
: having rotted : putrid
2
: morally corrupt
3
: extremely unpleasant or inferior
a rotten day
a rotten job
4
: very uncomfortable
feeling rotten
5
: of very poor quality : lousy, abominable
a rotten show
what rotten luck
rottenly adverb
rottenness noun

rotten

2 of 2

adverb

: to an extreme degree
spoiled rotten

Examples of rotten in a Sentence

Adjective They did a rotten job. What rotten weather we're having. Adverb Those kids were spoiled rotten by their mother.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
At least Kristi and Mari could be there to keep an eye on her, instead of just letting her fend for herself near all that juicy, rotten produce. Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 The big picture: The city's Solid Waste Management Department will accept rotten jack-o'-lantern carcasses and other pumpkin remnants today through Dec. 6 — a longer window than in past years. Shafaq Patel, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024
Adverb
If underlings are afraid to question authority or the board lack independent voices, a corporate culture can soon turn rotten. Chris Bryant | Bloomberg, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2019 See all Example Sentences for rotten 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English roten, from Old Norse rotinn; akin to Old English rotian to rot

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rotten was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near rotten

Cite this Entry

“Rotten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotten. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

rotten

adjective
rot·​ten
ˈrät-ᵊn
1
: having rotted
2
: morally bad
3
: very unpleasant or worthless
did a rotten job
rottenly adverb
rottenness
-ᵊn-(n)əs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on rotten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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