degenerate

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior
  2. verb grow worse
  3. adjective unrestrained by convention or morality

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin dēgenerātus. See -ate (adjective-forming suffix) for more.

In classic literature

Synonyms

pervert, deviant, deviate

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