Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

degeneracy

/dɪˈd͡ʒɛnəɹəsi/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.62 in modern English

Syllables: de-gen-er-a-cy
IPA: /dɪˈd͡ʒɛnəɹəsi/

17

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

5

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The state of being degenerate (in all senses).

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The ability of one part of the brain to take over another's function without being overexerted.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A limiting case of a class of objects which appears to be qualitatively different from (and usually simpler than) the rest of the class.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"If it be true, that the preſent age is more corrupt, than the preceding, the great multiplication of Novels has probably contributed to its degeneracy."
"Inveterate abuse of drinking in nonhereditarily disposed persons creates a degeneracy like the hereditary."

Etymology

From degener(ate) + -acy.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /dɪˈd͡ʒɛnəɹəsi/
British English: /dɪˈd͡ʒɛnəɹəsi/

Usage

Inflected Forms

degeneracies (plural)

Derived Forms

nondegeneracy undegeneracy

Frequently Paired Words

compensation

Synonyms

baseness depravity perversion corruption defilement degeneracy degradation depravation depravedness impurity iniquity lewdity

Questions

How do you pronounce degeneracy?: The recorded pronunciation is /dɪˈd͡ʒɛnəɹəsi/.
What does degeneracy mean?: The state of being degenerate (in all senses).
Where does degeneracy come from?: From degener(ate) + -acy.

How to pronounce degeneracy

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “degeneracy”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/dɪˈd͡ʒɛnəɹəsi/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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