degeneration
gb/dɪd͡ʒˌɛnɚˈeɪʃən/ us/dɪd͡ʒˌɛnɚˈeɪʃən/
B2
英語
~ 9800
語義
0件の語義
名詞
B2
event
1
gradual decline or worsening
Slow and steady worsening in the quality, behavior, or standards of a person, group, or society.
用法パターン：
the degeneration of [something]
よくある間違い：
Learners sometimes use *degeneration* for any kind of simple drop in numbers (for example, fewer sales). In those cases, *decline* or *drop* is usually more natural. *Degeneration* is more often used for quality, standards, or moral / social conditions becoming worse.
類義語
decline (A very general word for becoming worse or weaker; slightly broader and more neutral in tone.)
|
deterioration (Stresses the process of something slowly getting worse in quality or condition, often less morally loaded.)
対義語
improvement (Describes something becoming better in quality or condition, the opposite direction of change.)
|
advancement (Focuses on progress to a higher or more developed state, contrasting with going backwards or worsening.)
コロケーション
moral degeneration
|social degeneration
|degeneration of standards
|degeneration of society
|cultural degeneration
|political degeneration
テーマ
society
|ethics
|politics
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
例文
- Many people worry about the degeneration of public discourse on social media.
- The novel traces the slow degeneration of a once-idealistic movement into corruption.
- Some critics see the show as a sign of cultural degeneration.
- They blamed the town’s degeneration on years of poor political leadership.
- The report warns of the moral degeneration that can follow extreme inequality.
学習者向け例文
- Many teachers talk about the degeneration of good manners in schools.
- Some people think there is a moral degeneration when people only care about money.
- The film shows the slow degeneration of a friendly group into enemies.
- He wrote an article about the degeneration of local culture.
- They fear the degeneration of trust between citizens and the government.
名詞
technical
C1
event
2
medical worsening of body tissue
Slow damage to cells, tissues, or organs in the body so that they no longer work normally.
用法パターン：
degeneration of [a body part]
よくある間違い：
Learners sometimes confuse *degeneration* with *generation* because they look similar. *Degeneration* is about damage or loss, while *generation* is about creation or production. In medical contexts, mixing them up completely changes the meaning.
類義語
deterioration (General term; in medical texts it often refers to a worsening physical state or function.)
|
degenerative change (A more clinical phrase often used in medical reports and imaging descriptions.)
対義語
regeneration (Emphasizes new growth and repair of tissues, directly contrasting with breakdown or loss.)
|
healing (Focuses on recovery and return to health, the opposite of ongoing damage.)
コロケーション
macular degeneration
|nerve degeneration
|muscle degeneration
|degeneration of the cartilage
|degeneration of tissue
|spinal degeneration
テーマ
medicine
|health
|biology
|body
例文
- The scan shows significant degeneration of the hip joint.
- Regular exercise may help slow the degeneration of muscle tissue in older adults.
- Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in older people.
- The disease causes gradual nerve degeneration, leading to weakness and numbness.
- Doctors are studying new treatments to prevent further degeneration of the spinal discs.
学習者向け例文
- The doctor said there is degeneration in his knee joint.
- Macular degeneration can make it hard to read and drive.
- They want to slow the degeneration of her back so she can walk longer.
- The test shows some degeneration of the heart muscle.
- A healthy diet may reduce the risk of tissue degeneration.
名詞
technical
C2
event
3
loss of fitness in a lineage
In biology, slow worsening of a species or family line, where it becomes weaker or loses useful features over many generations.
用法パターン：
the degeneration of [a species / a line]
よくある間違い：
Learners may overuse this technical sense in everyday contexts, saying things like *the degeneration of my family* when they only mean social or moral decline; the general social or moral sense is usually more appropriate there.
類義語
genetic decline (Focuses more directly on changes in genes rather than broader structural or functional aspects.)
対義語
evolutionary advancement (Highlights a move toward greater adaptation or complexity, the opposite of becoming less fit or less complex.)
コロケーション
genetic degeneration
|degeneration of a species
|degeneration of a line
|degeneration of a breed
テーマ
biology
|science
|nature
例文
- Prolonged inbreeding can lead to genetic degeneration within a population.
- The study examines the degeneration of the laboratory line after many generations of artificial selection.
- Conservation programs aim to prevent the degeneration of small, isolated animal populations.
学習者向け例文
- Scientists worry about genetic degeneration in very small animal groups.
- Too much inbreeding can cause degeneration of a breed over time.
- They study the degeneration of this insect species in polluted areas.
- The paper explains how degeneration of a line can reduce survival.
- Strong selection can slow the genetic degeneration of the group.
文法
辞書形
degeneration
IPA
GB/dɪd͡ʒˌɛnɚˈeɪʃən/
US/dɪd͡ʒˌɛnɚˈeɪʃən/
音節・強勢
de - gen - er - a - tion （5音節）
Stress on 3rd syllable (er)
活用形
Noun
- Base: degeneration
- Plural: degeneration, degenerations
関連語
Forms
degenerations
noun
Core family
degenerate
verb
degenerative
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
表現
macular degeneration
1/mˈækjəlɚ dɪd͡ʒˌɛnɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
eye disease causing central vision loss
An eye disease, usually in older people, where the center of the eye’s retina slowly stops working, causing loss of sharp central vision.
例文
- Her grandmother lost most of her central vision because of macular degeneration.
- Regular eye exams can help detect macular degeneration at an early stage.
- The charity raises money to support people living with macular degeneration.