rotted
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All five words describe organic matter breaking down, but they differ in tone and scope. 'Rot' is the most concrete and vivid — it suggests visible decay with a bad smell, often in food, wood, or plant matter. 'Decay' is the broadest term; it can describe teeth, organic matter, or even abstract decline (e.g. 'urban decay'), without necessarily implying a strong odour. 'Decompose' is more scientific and focuses on the chemical process of breakdown; it is the preferred term in biology and environmental science. 'Spoil' is used almost exclusively for food that becomes inedible, especially meat and dairy — it often carries the idea of waste or loss. 'Go bad' is the most informal and conversational alternative, used by native speakers in everyday situations such as 'the milk went bad'. For a learner, 'rot' is the best choice when you want to emphasise the unpleasant physical process with a smell; 'decay' is safer for any slow breakdown, and 'spoil' / 'go bad' are your go-to words for food in the fridge.
Common collocations
Etymology
The modern English word 'rot' comes from Old English 'rotian', meaning to decay or become putrid. It shares a root with Old High German 'rōzzēn' (to rot), and is related to the Latin 'ridere' (to gnaw). The figurative sense of moral decay appeared in the 16th century. The noun form emerged around the 13th century, originally describing the process of decay. The informal British sense of 'nonsense' (as in 'talk rot') dates from the mid-19th century.
First known use
12th century
12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a Noun