decay
gb/dɪkˈeɪ/ us/dɪkˈeɪ/
B1
Angličtina
~ 5700
romlás, hanyatlás, lepusztulás, romlik, hanyatlik, leromlik, leépül, fogszuvasodás, lebomlik, rothad, exponenciális csökkenés, bomlás, jelgyengülés
PODSTATNÉ JMÉNO
B2
1
Vzorec užití:
decay in [something]
The once-beautiful neighborhood has fallen into decay over the past decade.
Az egykor gyönyörű környék az elmúlt évtizedben erősen lepusztult.
Many people worry about the moral decay they see in modern politics.
Sokan aggódnak a modern politikában tapasztalható erkölcsi hanyatlás miatt.
The museum was created to save the castle from further decay.
There are clear signs of decay in the company’s culture and performance.
Učební příklady
The old house shows a lot of decay.
A régi ház nagyon leromlott állapotban van.
Some people think there is moral decay in society today.
Vannak, akik szerint ma erkölcsi hanyatlás tapasztalható a társadalomban.
The city is working to stop the decay of the downtown area.
We must repair the bridge before the decay becomes too serious.
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes confuse "decay" with "decline" when talking about numbers or prices. Use "decline" for things like sales or population (e.g., "sales declined"), and use "decay" mainly for condition or quality (e.g., "the building is in decay").
Význam
gradual decline in condition or quality
Kolokace
urban decay
|moral decay
|signs of decay
|in a state of decay
|rapid decay
|social decay
Synonyma
deterioration (Very close in meaning; often slightly more formal and common in technical or official descriptions.)
|
decline (Broader and more general; can refer to numbers and popularity, not just physical or moral condition.)
Antonyma
improvement (Focuses on something getting better, the opposite direction of decay.)
|
growth (Suggests increase and development rather than gradual worsening or breakdown.)
Témata
society
|daily life
|environment
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definice
A slow change that makes something less strong, less good, or in worse condition over time.
A slow and continuous process in which something becomes worse in condition, quality, or strength.
SLOVESO
B2
2
Vzorec užití:
[something] decays
If we ignore maintenance, the roads will quickly decay.
Ha elhanyagoljuk a karbantartást, az utak gyorsan leromlanak.
Without strong leadership, institutions tend to decay from the inside.
Erős vezetés nélkül az intézmények hajlamosak belülről leépülni.
The historic theater has decayed after years of neglect.
Trust between the two communities decayed over several generations.
Učební příklady
The old building is starting to decay.
A régi épület kezd leromlani.
Our relationship decayed because we did not talk.
Megromlott a kapcsolatunk, mert nem beszéltünk egymással.
If you do not care for your things, they will decay.
The village began to decay when the factory closed.
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes say "make decay" or "do decay" instead of using the verb directly. Say "The building is decaying" or "The building has decayed," not *"The building has a decay" in this sense.
Význam
to slowly become worse or weaker
Kolokace
infrastructure decays
|values are decaying
|decay over time
|let [something] decay
|slowly decays
Synonyma
deteriorate (Very close in meaning; more common for formal descriptions of systems, health, or conditions.)
|
decline (More often used for numbers, power, or importance, not just physical condition.)
Antonyma
improve (Describes something getting better, the opposite of decaying.)
|
strengthen (Focuses on gaining strength or stability instead of losing it.)
Témata
daily life
|society
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definice
To slowly get worse or weaker over time.
To slowly become worse in condition, quality, or strength over time.
PODSTATNÉ JMÉNO
B1
3
Vzorec užití:
[someone] has tooth decay
Regular brushing and flossing can greatly reduce tooth decay.
A rendszeres fogmosás és fogselyemhasználat jelentősen csökkentheti a fogszuvasodás kockázatát.
Children are especially vulnerable to tooth decay if they eat a lot of sugar.
A gyerekek különösen hajlamosak a fogszuvasodásra, ha sok cukrot esznek.
Her dentist found signs of decay in two of her molars.
Fluoride in drinking water helps prevent dental decay.
Učební příklady
The boy has tooth decay because he eats a lot of candy.
A fiú fogai szuvasak, mert sok cukorkát eszik.
I go to the dentist every year to check for tooth decay.
Évente járok fogorvoshoz, hogy ellenőrizze, nincs-e fogszuvasodásom.
Good brushing helps stop tooth decay.
She lost the tooth because the decay was very bad.
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes say *"teeth decay" as a noun phrase (e.g., *"He has teeth decay"). The natural phrase is "tooth decay" or "decay in his teeth."
Význam
damage to teeth from bacteria
Kolokace
tooth decay
|prevent tooth decay
|severe tooth decay
|early tooth decay
|risk of tooth decay
|signs of tooth decay
Synonyma
cavities (Everyday word for holes caused by tooth decay; refers to the holes, not the process itself.)
|
dental caries (Technical medical term used by dentists and in health writing.)
Antonyma
healthy teeth (Describes teeth without decay or damage.)
Témata
health
|daily life
|body
Definice
A problem in teeth where bacteria slowly eat the tooth and make a hole.
Damage to a tooth caused by bacteria that slowly destroy the hard surface, often forming a cavity.
SLOVESO
B2
4
Vzorec užití:
[organic matter] decays
The fallen leaves will decay and enrich the soil.
A lehullott levelek lebomlanak, és gazdagítják a talajt.
Food scraps decay faster in a warm, moist environment.
Az ételmaradékok meleg, nedves környezetben gyorsabban lebomlanak.
If you leave the fruit out in the sun, it will quickly decay.
As the animal decays, it provides nutrients for other organisms.
Učební příklady
Dead plants decay on the ground.
Az elhalt növények lebomlanak a földön.
The apple began to decay after a few days.
Az alma néhány nap után rothadni kezdett.
In the forest, old trees fall and decay.
The body will decay if it is not buried or burned.
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes use "decay" only for man‑made things and forget it is common in science for natural rotting. For natural processes, "decay," "rot," and "decompose" are all possible, but "decay" sounds slightly more formal or scientific.
Význam
to rot or decompose naturally
Kolokace
leaves decay
|dead plants decay
|food decays
|organic matter decays
|quickly decays
|decays on the forest floor
Synonyma
rot (Very close everyday synonym; can sound slightly more informal or vivid.)
|
decompose (More technical or scientific; common in biology and environmental science.)
Antonyma
preserve (Means to keep something from decaying or changing.)
Témata
science
|environment
|nature
Definice
When dead plants, animals, or food slowly break apart and change into simpler material.
To break down, especially of dead plants or animals, as natural processes or microorganisms change them into simpler substances.
PODSTATNÉ JMÉNO
C1
TECHNICAL
5
Vzorec užití:
decay of [quantity]
The graph shows the exponential decay of the substance over time.
A grafikon az anyag mennyiségének időbeli exponenciális csökkenését mutatja.
Engineers had to account for signal decay in the long cable.
A mérnököknek számolniuk kellett a hosszú kábelben fellépő jelgyengüléssel.
Radioactive decay is described by a characteristic half-life.
The model predicts a rapid decay in vibration amplitude.
Učební příklady
The chart shows the decay of the chemical over ten days.
A diagram a vegyi anyag tíz nap alatti bomlását mutatja.
In physics class, we learned about radioactive decay.
Fizikaórán a radioaktív bomlásról tanultunk.
The teacher drew a curve to show how the energy slowly goes down, called decay.
Signal decay can be a problem in very long wires.
Častá chyba:
Learners may confuse everyday "decay" with this technical sense. In science and math, "decay" usually refers to a numeric or measurable decrease over time, often with formulas, not just things getting old or dirty.
Význam
gradual decrease in a quantity
Kolokace
radioactive decay
|exponential decay
|decay rate
|signal decay
|decay constant
|decay curve
Synonyma
attenuation (Technical term often used for weakening of signals or waves.)
|
decrease (More general; not limited to a gradual, often exponential, process.)
Antonyma
growth (In mathematics and science, describes quantities increasing instead of decreasing.)
|
amplification (Used when a signal or effect is made stronger, the opposite of decay.)
Témata
science
|technology
Definice
In science, a slow and regular decrease in the amount or strength of something, often described with numbers.
In science and mathematics, a gradual reduction in the size, intensity, or amount of a measurable quantity over time, often following a predictable pattern.
Gramatika
Slovníkový tvar
decay
IPA
GB/dɪkˈeɪ/
US/dɪkˈeɪ/
Slabiky a přízvuk
de - cay (2 slabiky)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cay)
Tvary slova
Noun
- Base: decay
- Plural: decay
Verb
- Base: decay
- 3rd Person Singular: decays
- Present Participle: decaying
- Past: decayed
Příbuzná slova
Forms
decays
verb
decaying
verb
decayed
verb
Related words
Advanced or less common
decadence
noun
decadent
adjective
Výrazy
advanced decay
1/ədvˈænst dɪkˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
very serious stage of decay
A late stage of decay where something is already very damaged or broken down.
Příklady
- The inspector found advanced decay in the wooden beams.
- Because of advanced decay, the tree had to be cut down.
- The tooth was in advanced decay and could not be saved.
decay over time
1/dɪkˈeɪ ˈoʊvɚ tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
to slowly get worse with time
To slowly become worse or weaker as time passes.
Příklady
- All organic materials will decay over time.
- Without proper care, the paint will decay over time.
- Memories can decay over time if they are not recalled.
exponential decay
1/ˌɛkspoʊnˈɛnʃəl dɪkˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
technical
mathematical pattern of fast decrease
In math and science, a way something decreases where it goes down faster at first and then more slowly, following a special curve.
Příklady
- The scientist modeled the cooling process as exponential decay.
- The graph shows an exponential decay in the drug concentration.
- The teacher used an example of exponential decay to explain the function.
in a state of decay
1/ˈɪn ə stˈeɪt əv dɪkˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
in very poor condition
In very bad condition because something has been getting worse for a long time.
Příklady
- The factory has been abandoned for years and is now in a state of decay.
- Many of the country’s roads are in a state of decay.
- The report described a healthcare system in a state of decay.
moral decay
1/mˈɔɹəl dɪkˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
decline in moral standards
A slow loss of good behavior and shared ideas about right and wrong in a person or society.
Příklady
- Many critics see the show as a symbol of moral decay in modern culture.
- He blames moral decay for the rise in violent crime.
- Religious leaders often warn against the moral decay of society.
prevent tooth decay
1/pɹɪvˈɛnt tˈuθ dɪkˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
stop teeth from getting damaged
To stop or reduce the damage that bacteria can do to your teeth.
Příklady
- Brushing twice a day helps prevent tooth decay.
- Dentists say that cutting down on sugar is important to prevent tooth decay.
- Fluoride treatments are used to prevent tooth decay in children.
signs of decay
1/sˈaɪnz əv dɪkˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
evidence that something is decaying
Things you can see that show something is slowly getting worse.
Příklady
- There are clear signs of decay in the school buildings.
- The manager ignored the early signs of decay in the company’s performance.
- Cracks in the walls were the first signs of decay.
tooth decay
1/tˈuθ dɪkˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
damage to teeth from bacteria
Damage to teeth caused by bacteria that slowly eat the tooth and make holes.
Příklady
- Too much sugar can cause tooth decay.
- Fluoride toothpaste helps prevent tooth decay.
- The dentist said he has early tooth decay and needs a filling.
urban decay
1/ˈɚbən dɪkˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
decline of city areas
A slow process where buildings and streets in a city become old, broken, and dirty, often because people move away or there is no money for repairs.
Příklady
- The film explores themes of urban decay and social inequality.
- The government launched a program to fight urban decay in the inner city.
- Graffiti and empty shops are signs of urban decay in the neighborhood.
radioactive decay
1/ɹˌeɪdioʊˈæktɪv dɪkˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
technical
process of unstable nuclei breaking down
The process in which unstable atoms slowly change into other atoms and give off radiation.
Příklady
- The rate of radioactive decay is described by the half-life.
- Scientists use the rate of radioactive decay to date ancient objects.
- Radioactive decay releases energy in the form of particles and radiation.
- Radioactive decay produces heat inside the Earth’s core.
- Scientists measured the radioactive decay of carbon to date the artifact.
- The chart shows how radioactive decay reduces the activity of the sample over time.