The meaning of DEGENERATE is having declined or become less specialized (as in nature, character, structure, or function) from an ancestral or former state. How to use degenerate in a …

Degenerate definition: to fall below a normal or desirable level in physical, mental, or moral qualities; deteriorate.. See examples of DEGENERATE used in a sentence.

degenerate adjective formal disapproving having very low moral standards of behaviour: a degenerate young man

If you refer to someone as a degenerate, you disapprove of them because you think they have low standards of behaviour or morality.

1. to decline in physical, mental, or moral qualities; deteriorate. 2. to diminish in quality; fall from a high or normal standard: The debate degenerated into a brawl.

There are 13 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word degenerate, one of which is labelled obsolete, and four of which are considered offensive. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, …

Oct 31, 2025 · degenerate (comparative more degenerate, superlative most degenerate) (of qualities) Having deteriorated, degraded or fallen from normal, coherent, balanced and …

If something degenerates, it gets worse, like a food fight that degenerates to an all-out spaghetti-throwing war. Degenerate can also describe an immoral person — or the behavior of such a …

Some common synonyms of degenerate are corrupt, iniquitous, nefarious, vicious, and villainous. While all these words mean "highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or …

As the disease progresses, the patient's health will degenerate [= deteriorate] rapidly.