What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deteriorate
Example
The condition of the building has deteriorated over the years. [deteriorated: past participle]
Example
The patient's health began to deteriorate rapidly after the surgery. [deteriorate: verb]
decay
Example
The fruit started to decay after being left out in the sun for too long. [decay: verb]
Example
The old book was in a state of decay due to years of neglect. [decay: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Decay is more commonly used than deteriorate in everyday language. Decay is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while deteriorate is less common and is typically used in more formal settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between deteriorate and decay?
Deteriorate is more formal than decay. It is often used in academic or professional contexts to describe a decline in quality or condition, while decay is more casual and is often used to describe physical objects or organic matter breaking down over time.
