rot
/rɒt/ (bre, ipa) · /rɑːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrät/ (ame, mw)
rot — verb
- rotpresent simple I / you / we / they
- rotshe / she / it
- rottedpast simple
- rotting-ing form
1. to break down and change form through the natural action of bacteria, fungi, or
to break down and change form through the natural action of bacteria, fungi, or chemicals, so that the original material becomes softer, weaker, or damaged — for example, old fruit, damp wood, or unbrushed teeth.
The wooden fence behind Mei's house began to rot after years of heavy rain.
intransitive: noun + began to rot
If you leave apples in a warm bowl for weeks, they will rot and smell bad.
conditional: if...will rot
Haruto discovered that the bottom of his boat had rotted from years in salt water.
Eating too much sugar can cause your teeth to rot if you do not brush them well.
Wet leaves in a dark corner of the garden will rot and turn into soil.
- preserve
to keep something in its original condition and prevent decay
- keep fresh
to maintain food in good condition through cooling or wrapping
文法句型
rot (intransitive)
rot + noun (causative)
rot away
be rotted by + noun
用法筆記
This verb can be used intransitively (The wood rots) or transitively to mean 'cause something to rot' (Dampness rots the fence boards). The phrasal form rot away emphasises a slow, complete process of decay.
常見錯誤
rot — noun
1. the natural process in which organic material breaks down into simpler matter th
the natural process in which organic material breaks down into simpler matter through the action of bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms, often causing a soft texture, discoloration, and a bad smell.
The old wooden window frames were full of dry rot and had to be removed.
collocation: dry rot (fungal wood decay in buildings)
Dentists explain that tooth rot happens when sugar and bacteria mix in the mouth.
collocation: tooth rot
The landlord ignored the rot in the floorboards until a hole appeared.
Fruit rot spreads quickly in warm weather, so farmers check their crops daily.
If left untreated, the rot in the shed roof will spread to the walls as well.
- decay
nearly identical meaning but slightly broader; can include non-biological deterioration
- decomposition
more formal and scientific; emphasises the chemical process of breaking down
- spoilage
specifically refers to food going bad and becoming unfit to eat
- preservation
the act of keeping something in good condition and preventing decay
- freshness
the state of being new, not decayed, especially of food
文法句型
noun + rot
dry rot
tooth rot
rot sets in
stop the rot
用法筆記
Uncountable noun. Frequently appears in compound nouns naming specific types of decay: dry rot (fungal damage to wood), tooth rot (informal term for cavities), brown rot (a plant disease). The phrase 'stop the rot' can be used literally or figuratively to mean 'prevent a bad situation from getting worse.'
常見錯誤
2. words or ideas that are foolish, untrue, or pointless — used to dismiss an opini
words or ideas that are foolish, untrue, or pointless — used to dismiss an opinion or claim as having no value.
Sophie listened to his excuses and told him they were absolute rot.
collocation: absolute rot
The article in that magazine is complete rot — none of the facts are correct.
collocation: complete rot
Don't talk rot, Amir! There is no way we can finish this by tomorrow morning.
The man at the party claimed the earth was flat, and everyone laughed at such rot.
Fatima thinks the new rules are a load of rot that will only cause confusion.
文法句型
talk rot
absolute / complete rot
It is rot to + infinitive
用法筆記
Informal British English expression that dismisses an idea or statement as silly, untrue, or worthless. Common in exclamations: 'What rot!' or 'That's a load of rot!' Similar in meaning and register to 'rubbish' in British English and 'garbage' in American English.