rotting

Everyday

1. Rotting means going bad and breaking down, as dead plants, animals or food slowly decay. tree →
2. Rotting wood or teeth are being slowly damaged and becoming soft or weak. tree →
3. (figurative) Rotting can describe something getting worse slowly from neglect, like «left rotting in a shed». tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, rotting is decomposition: bacteria, fungi and worms break down dead things and return nutrients to the soil, as in a compost heap. In everyday life rotting food smells bad and must not be eaten. Sugar can cause rotting teeth. Phrases: rotting food, rotting wood, rotting teeth, left to rot.

Examples

• The apples were rotting on the ground. tree →
• A rotting log is home to many insects. tree →
• The bin smelled of rotting food. tree →
• Worms help rotting leaves turn into soil. tree →
• Too many sweets can lead to rotting teeth. tree →
• The old boat was left rotting on the beach. tree →
• Rotting food should be thrown away, not eaten. tree →

Note

From «rot»: double the t (rotted, rotting). The adjective is «rotten». Rotting is a natural, useful process in nature, but rotting food can make you sick. Myth: «food rots only when it smells» — mould can be hidden, so check dates and look carefully.