degenerative

adjective de·gen·er·a·tive \di-ˈje-nə-rə-tiv, -ˈjen-rə-; -ˈje-nə-ˌrā-; dē-\

medical : causing the body or part of the body to become weaker or less able to function as time passes

Full Definition of DEGENERATIVE

: of, relating to, involving, or causing degeneration <a degenerative disease>

See degenerative defined for English-language learners

See degenerative defined for kids

First Known Use of DEGENERATIVE

circa 1846

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Rhymes with DEGENERATIVE

accelerative, accumulative, administrative, alliterative, assimilative, associative, authoritative, collaborative, commemorative, communicative, cooperative, corroborative, deliberative, determinative, illuminative, investigative, multiplicative, originative, recuperative, regenerative

Medical Dictionary

degenerative

adjective de·gen·er·a·tive \di-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-iv, -ˈjen-(ə-)rət-\

Medical Definition of DEGENERATIVE

: of, relating to, involving, or tending to cause degeneration <degenerative conditions of the nervous system—Morris Fishbein> <degenerative changes> <a degenerative muscle disorder>

Learn More About DEGENERATIVE

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "degenerative"

Nglish: Translation of "degenerative" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "degenerative" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: degenerescencePrevious Word in the Dictionary: degeneration diseaseAll Words Near: degenerative

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up degenerative? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

Learn More

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Watch Now

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Go Play

Fear of cats?

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Learn More