1 (of food, wood, etc.) that has decayed and cannot be eaten or used:
the smell of rotten vegetables * The fruit is starting to go rotten. * rotten floorboards
2 [usuallybeforenoun] (informal) very bad
SYNTERRIBLE:
I've had a rotten day! * What rotten luck! * She's a rotten singer.
3 [usuallybeforenoun] (informal) dishonest:
The organization is rotten to the core.
4 [notbeforenoun] (informal) looking or feeling ill/sick:
She felt rotten.
5 [notbeforenoun] (informal) feeling guilty about sth you have done:
I feel rotten about leaving them behind.
6 [onlybeforenoun] (informal) used to emphasize that you are angry or upset about sth:
You can keep your rotten money!
rottenness noun [U]
IDIOMS
a rotten apple one bad person who has a bad effect on others in a group
adverb (informal) to a large degree; very much:
She spoils the children rotten. * (BrE) He fancies you (something) rotten.
