The meaning of DEGENERATE is having declined or become less specialized (as in nature, character, structure, or function) from an ancestral or former state. How to use degenerate in a sentence.

DEGENERATE definition: to fall below a normal or desirable level in physical, mental, or moral qualities; deteriorate. See examples of degenerate used in a sentence.

degenerate adjective formal disapproving having very low moral standards of behaviour: a degenerate young man

If you refer to someone as a degenerate, you disapprove of them because you think they have low standards of behaviour or morality.

There are 13 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word degenerate, one of which is labelled obsolete, and four of which are considered offensive. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation …

1. to decline in physical, mental, or moral qualities; deteriorate. 2. to diminish in quality; fall from a high or normal standard: The debate degenerated into a brawl.

4 days ago · degenerate (comparative more degenerate, superlative most degenerate) (of qualities) Having deteriorated, degraded or fallen from normal, coherent, balanced and desirable to …

having lost, or become impaired with respect to, the qualities proper to the race or kind: a degenerate vine. characterized by or associated with degeneracy: degenerate times.

If something degenerates, it gets worse, like a food fight that degenerates to an all-out spaghetti-throwing war. Degenerate can also describe an immoral person — or the behavior of such a person.

Definition of degenerate. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels.