adj., -er, -est.
- Being in a state of putrefaction or decay; decomposed.
- Having a foul odor resulting from or suggestive of decay; putrid.
- Made weak or unsound by rot: rotten floorboards.
- Morally corrupt or despicable: She's rotten to the core.
- Very bad; wretched: rotten weather.
To a very great degree: The child is spoiled rotten.
[Middle English roten, from Old Norse rotinn.]
rottenly rot'ten·ly adv.rottenness rot'ten·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
