Decay Meaning
/dɪˈkeɪ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounRot; any processes or result of organic matter being gradually decomposed, especially by microbial action.
nounDeterioration of condition; loss of status, quality, strength, or fortune.
Sentence Examples
Many local traditions have fallen into decay in recent years.
There is nothing that does not decay.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Old fruit left outside will quickly ____ in the sun.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Many local traditions have fallen into ____ in recent years.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English decaien (“to decrease, diminish”) and decai (“deterioration, decline in value”), from Anglo-Norman decaeir (“to fall away, decay, decline”), from Vulgar Latin *dēcadere, etymologically restored form of Latin dēcidere (“to fall down, to fail, sink or perish”), from de- (“of, from, away, down”) + cadere (“to fall”). Compare decadent and decadence.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I fancied at first the stuff was paraffin wax, and smashed the jar accordingly. But the odor of camphor was unmistakable. It struck me as singularly odd, that among the universal decay, this volatile substance had chanced to survive, perhaps through many thousand years."
— 1895, H. G. Wells, chapter X, in The Time Machine:
"He spent himself, the labour of his axe,
And leave it there far from a useful fireplace
To warm the frozen swamp as best it could
With the slow smokeless burning of decay."
— 1914, Robert Frost, The Wood-pile:
"Although the best room of the inn, it had the melancholy aspect of grandeur in decay, and was much too vast for comfort."
— 1841 February–November, Charles Dickens, “Barnaby Rudge. Chapter 10.”, in Master Humphrey’s Clock, volume II, London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC:
"Let’s cheere our ſouldiers to incounter him,
That grieuous image of ingratitude:
That fiery thirſter after Soueraigntie: […]
Reſolue my Lords and louing ſouldiers now,
To ſaue your king and country from decay:"
— c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene vi:
""The signalling at Salisbury has be replaced for safety reasons in the next handful of years. It's worn out. Last week, there was a signal cable issue near Tisbury that stopped proper running for four whole days. The system is decaying."
— 2026 February 18, Paul Clifton, “West of England Line problems laid bare”, in RAIL, number 1055, page 7:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Old fruit left outside will quickly ____ in the sun.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Many local traditions have fallen into ____ in recent years.