rotten

Universal Words adjective, adverb adjective 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.