Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

decompose

/ˌdikəmˈpoʊz/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.75 in modern English

Syllables: de-com-pose
IPA: /ˌdikəmˈpoʊz/

16

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To separate or break down (something) into its components.

Transitive verb

verb

To rot, decay or putrefy.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"Various fungi can decompose wood."
"Our team decomposed this task into several subtasks that could be successfully distributed."
"Plastics can take centuries to decompose."
"Nor had the post mortem on Newson's body revealed any illness or other physical condition that might have prevented him from applying the brake, although after four days in the oven-like heat of the wreckage, the body was so badly decomposed as to make any reliable post mortem results unlikely."

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French décomposer. Equivalent to de- + compose.

Origin

Source language: Middle French

Word Breakdown

Prefix: de
Root: décomposer

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌdikəmˈpoʊz/
British English: /ˌdiːkəmˈpəʊz/

Usage

Inflected Forms

decomposes (present, singular) decomposing (participle, present) decomposed (participle, past) decomposed (past)

Derived Forms

decomposability decomposable decomposer decomposition eigendecompose nondecomposed photodecompose semidecomposed undecomposed

Frequently Paired Words

disassemble

Synonyms

disintegrate fragment break down break up rot molder moulder decay

Antonyms

compose assemble recompose

Rhymes With

those shows goes knows rose suppose chose nose grows flows pose throws

Questions

How do you pronounce decompose?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌdikəmˈpoʊz/.
What does decompose mean?: To separate or break down (something) into its components.
Where does decompose come from?: It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce decompose

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