Reading Theme:
Degrade: Definition, Usage & Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：become worse (degrade)
degrade
/dɪˈɡreɪd/
v.
To make the quality or condition of something worse over time.
become worse
➕
/bɪˈkʌm ˈwɜːrs/
v.
To cause a gradual decline in the quality, value, or functionality of something.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin de- (down) + gradus (step). Literally means 'to step down'.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a GRADE going DOWN to a D. That's DEGRADE.
📖 Example
If you download a video file too many times, it can degrade and become very pixelated.
Repeated downloads of a video file can cause its quality to worsen and become pixelated.
🔗 Collocations
degrade performance – to reduce or impair functionality
signal degrade – the worsening of signal quality
image quality degrades – the visual quality becomes poorer
🔄 Synonyms
deteriorate (v.) – to become progressively worse
decline (v.) – to decrease in quality, power, or value
worsen (v.) – to become worse
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
degradation (n.) – the process of degrading or the state of being degraded
📖 Cultural Story
The verb entered English via Old French in the 14th century, initially related to demotion in rank or status. Its scientific meaning concerning material breakdown developed later. It is frequently used in environmental science and engineering to describe the deterioration of materials or signal quality.
Meaning 2：treat with disrespect (degrade)
degrade
/dɪˈɡreɪd/
v.
To treat someone poorly and make them feel less respected or valued.
treat with disrespect
➕
/triːt wɪð dɪs.rɪˈspekt/
v.
To treat or speak about someone in a way that makes them feel ashamed or lose respect.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
It is never right to degrade others online by making rude comments about their appearance.
Making offensive remarks about someone's looks online is always wrong, as it humiliates them.
🔗 Collocations
degrade someone – to humiliate or belittle a person
publicly degrade – to humiliate in front of others
degrade oneself – to behave in a way that lowers one's own dignity
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
degrading (adj.) – causing a loss of self-respect; humiliating
Meaning 3：break down naturally (degrade)
degrade
/dɪˈɡreɪd/
v.
To break down something, like plastic or chemicals, into simpler parts naturally.
break down naturally
➕
/breɪk daʊn ˈnætʃ.rə.li/
v.
To decompose or disintegrate into simpler substances, often through natural processes like bacterial action or exposure to elements.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Most plastic bags take hundreds of years to degrade naturally in the environment.
It takes centuries for most plastic bags to decompose naturally in the environment.
🔗 Collocations
biodegrade – to decay naturally by biological agents
degrade over time – to break down gradually as time passes
environmentally degradable – capable of being broken down by natural environmental processes
🔄 Synonyms
decompose (v.) – to decay or cause to decay by a natural process
disintegrate (v.) – to break into small parts, typically as the result of impact or decay
decay (v.) – to rot or cause to rot through the action of bacteria and fungi
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