What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
decay
Example
The old house was showing signs of decay due to years of neglect. [decay: noun]
Example
The fruit began to decay after being left out in the sun for too long. [decay: verb]
rot
Example
The wood had begun to rot due to exposure to moisture. [rot: verb]
Example
The smell of rotting garbage filled the air. [rotting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rot is less common than decay in everyday language, but it is still a useful word to know in certain contexts, such as when describing the decay of food or the decomposition of organic matter.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between decay and rot?
Decay is more formal than rot and is often used in scientific or technical contexts, while rot is more informal and is commonly used in everyday language.
