deterioration
gb/dɪtˈɪɹiɚˌeɪʃən/ us/dɪtˈɪɹiɚˌeɪʃən/
C1
Inglés
~ 9100
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Sustantivo
C1
event
1
process of something becoming worse
The process when something, like a situation or quality, slowly becomes worse than before.
Patrón de uso:
the deterioration of [something]; deterioration in [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners often confuse the noun "deterioration" with the verb "deteriorate". Use "deterioration" with articles and prepositions (e.g., "a deterioration in sales", "the deterioration of standards"), and "deteriorate" as a verb (e.g., "sales deteriorated", "relations deteriorated"). Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition; the most natural patterns are "deterioration in [something]" and "deterioration of [something]".
Sinónimos
decline (A bit more general and slightly simpler; can sound less negative or dramatic than "deterioration".)
|
worsening (Very close in meaning; more informal and more commonly used as a verb form.)
|
degradation (Often used for moral, environmental, or quality loss; can sound more formal or technical.)
Antónimos
improvement (Direct opposite: a process where something becomes better instead of worse.)
|
progress (Opposite in many contexts, emphasizing positive development rather than decline.)
Colocaciones
gradual deterioration
|serious deterioration
|sudden deterioration
|deterioration in relations
|deterioration in conditions
|economic deterioration
Temas
daily life
|society
|business
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- There has been a noticeable deterioration in working conditions at the factory.
- The report warns of a serious deterioration in relations between the two countries.
- Residents are angry about the deterioration of public services in the area.
- Analysts blame the deterioration in the company’s performance on poor management decisions.
- The sudden deterioration of the political situation caught everyone by surprise.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- We are worried about the deterioration in the quality of our food.
- There was a clear deterioration in the company’s results last year.
- People complained about the deterioration of the bus service.
- The news talked about a deterioration in the security situation.
- The manager wants to stop any further deterioration in customer satisfaction.
unknown
C1
event
2
wearing down or damage over time
Slow damage or wear to something physical, like a building or material, as time passes.
Patrón de uso:
the deterioration of [a physical thing]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use "broken" or "old" instead of describing the process as "deterioration". Use "deterioration" when you want to talk about the ongoing or gradual damage (e.g., "the deterioration of the roof"), not just the final result. Another mistake is to use it without a specific physical thing: here it should refer to a concrete object or material, not an abstract situation.
Sinónimos
decay (Often used for organic matter (like teeth or wood) and can sound slightly less formal.)
|
wear and tear (Informal phrase for normal, expected deterioration from regular use.)
|
corrosion (A technical term mainly for metals damaged by chemical reactions, especially rust.)
Antónimos
preservation (Opposite focus: keeping something in good condition rather than letting it decay.)
|
restoration (Opposite process: actively repairing damage caused by deterioration.)
Colocaciones
physical deterioration
|structural deterioration
|deterioration of the building
|deterioration of materials
|deterioration of teeth
Temas
science
|environment
|health
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The metal showed significant deterioration after years of exposure to salt water.
- Regular maintenance can slow the deterioration of the bridge’s supports.
- Experts were called in to assess the deterioration of the historic church’s stonework.
- Poor storage conditions led to the rapid deterioration of the paintings.
- Fluoride toothpaste can help prevent the deterioration of tooth enamel.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Rain and wind caused the deterioration of the old house.
- We saw clear deterioration in the walls of the tunnel.
- Good care can slow the deterioration of a car.
- The museum works to stop the deterioration of old books.
- The doctor checked for deterioration of the bone.
Sustantivo
technical
C1
event
3
worsening of physical or mental health
The process when someone’s body or mind becomes less healthy or weaker.
Patrón de uso:
deterioration in [someone’s] condition; deterioration of [a function or ability]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes say "his health is more bad" instead of using a noun phrase like "a deterioration in his health" or "a deterioration in his condition". In medical or formal contexts, use "deterioration" for this ongoing negative change. Also, avoid saying *"deterioration of he"*; use "deterioration of his health" or "deterioration in his condition".
Sinónimos
decline (Common in medical speech ("health decline" or "cognitive decline"), often slightly less formal than "deterioration".)
|
degeneration (More technical; often used for specific tissues or functions (e.g., "muscle degeneration").)
|
worsening (Everyday term; less specifically medical but widely used in reports of health changes.)
Antónimos
recovery (Opposite process: returning to a better or healthier state.)
|
stabilization (Opposite in clinical contexts where the important thing is that the condition stops getting worse.)
Colocaciones
deterioration in health
|deterioration in her condition
|cognitive deterioration
|mental deterioration
|neurological deterioration
Temas
health
|medicine
Ejemplos
- Doctors are concerned about the sudden deterioration in her condition.
- Early treatment can prevent further deterioration of vision.
- The scans showed no deterioration of brain function over the last year.
- Family members reported a gradual deterioration in his memory and mood.
- The new drug appears to slow the deterioration associated with the disease.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The nurse watched for any deterioration in the patient’s health.
- There has been a slow deterioration in his memory.
- Medicine can stop the deterioration of her sight.
- They are worried about the deterioration in their father’s condition.
- The doctor said there was no deterioration since the last visit.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
deterioration
AFI
GB/dɪtˈɪɹiɚˌeɪʃən/
US/dɪtˈɪɹiɚˌeɪʃən/
Sílabas y acento
de - teri - or - a - tion (5 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (teri)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: deterioration
- Plural: deteriorations
Familia de palabras
Forms
deteriorations
noun
Core family
deteriorate
verb B2
Negative and opposite forms
improve
verb A2
improvement
noun A2
Expresiones
deterioration in health
1/dɪtˈɪɹiɚˌeɪʃən ˈɪn hˈɛlθ/
fixed phrase
worsening of someone’s health
A phrase used to say that a person’s health has become worse.
Ejemplos
- The doctor noted a clear deterioration in health over the past six months.
- Stress and poor diet can lead to a serious deterioration in health.
deterioration in relations
1/dɪtˈɪɹiɚˌeɪʃən ˈɪn ɹilˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
worsening of relations between sides
A phrase used to say that the relationship between two groups, people, or countries has become worse.
Ejemplos
- Sanctions have caused a sharp deterioration in relations between the two countries.
- There has been a gradual deterioration in relations between management and staff.