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decay

/diˈkeɪ/noun, verb2 syllables

Decay means: lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current.

Synonyms for decay10

noun, as in the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation

radioactive decay, disintegration

noun, as in a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current

decline

noun, as in the organic phenomenon of rotting

decomposition

verb, as in lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current

disintegrate, decompose

verb, as in fall into decay or ruin

crumble, dilapidate

also used for decay

nuclear decay—atomic decay, fester

Includes material from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What does decay mean?8

verb

1

lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current“the particles disintegrated during the nuclear fission process”

2

fall into decay or ruin“The unoccupied house started to decay”

3

undergo decay or decomposition“The body started to decay and needed to be cremated”

noun

1

the spontaneous disintegration of a radioactive substance along with the emission of ionizing radiation

2

a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current

3

the organic phenomenon of rotting

4

the process of gradually becoming inferior

5

an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying“the corpse was in an advanced state of decay”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

What rhymes with decay?60

three syllables

usadna
Show 40 near rhymes
makemadetakegreatsamestategameplacedaysnamecasechangestatesbasedcamemakesfacegameswaitlateagegavemainplayedspacedatebreaktakesbecameratesavepagepaidrangetradehatejamesstageracechanged

All 60 rhymes for decay, grouped by syllable

Decay in a sentence

  • Of late, this portentous mansion has begun to give signs of dilapidation and decay.Cangarejo
  • Pornography corrupts the mind and soul, leading to spiritual decay.Amastan
  • The decay of the shrine is due, in part, to acid rain.AlanF_US
  • According to dentists, tooth decay is not always caused by sweets.hecko
  • Though the body may decay, the idea never dies.anzart
  • Exposed to water, wood will ultimately fall into decay.Aghanim
  • We have to pick those apples right now, otherwise they'll decay.sharptoothed
  • Since leaving the village, they have fallen into a life of moral decay.Aghanim

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of decay

as a noun

plural
decays

as a verb

past tense
decayed
present participle
decaying
third-person singular
decays
past participle
decayed