rotten

The word "rotten" most commonly describes something that has been ruined by decay, usually food, wood, or other natural material. We often use it for things like a rotten apple, rotten teeth, or wood that has become soft and weak. You can often notice it by the bad smell, strange color, or soft texture. "The fruit salad looked fresh until we found one rotten strawberry at the bottom."

However, "rotten" is also used in a figurative way. It can describe people, behavior, or situations that are very bad. A "rotten politician" is dishonest, a "rotten deal" is unfair, and a "rotten day" is unpleasant and miserable. In these cases, the word does not mean literal decay. Instead, it points to something that feels bad, wrong, or ruined.

The word can also describe how someone feels. To feel "rotten" can mean you are physically ill, very upset, or full of guilt. It often carries the idea that something is wrong inside, whether that is the body, a person's character, or a situation. This wider meaning appears in the famous line from Hamlet, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark," where it suggests hidden corruption. Whether you are throwing away spoiled food, talking about bad behavior, or saying you feel awful, "rotten" suggests decay, harm, or something seriously wrong.