corrode

[ kuh-rohd ]

verb (used with object)

, cor·rod·ed, cor·rod·ing.

1. to eat or wear away gradually as if by gnawing, especially by chemical action.
2. to impair; deteriorate:

   Jealousy corroded his character.

verb (used without object)

, cor·rod·ed, cor·rod·ing.

1. to become corroded.

corrode

/ kəˈrəʊd /

verb

1. to eat away or be eaten away, esp by chemical action as in the oxidation or rusting of a metal
2. tr to destroy gradually; consume

   his jealousy corroded his happiness

Derived Forms

• corˈroder, noun
• corˌrodiˈbility, noun
• corˈrodible, adjective
• corˈrodant, noun

Other Words From

• cor·rodent noun
• cor·roder noun
• cor·rodi·ble adjective
• cor·rodi·bili·ty noun
• noncor·rodi·ble adjective
• noncor·roding adjective noun
• uncor·roded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of corrode¹

1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin corrōdere to gnaw to pieces, equivalent to cor- cor- + rōdere to gnaw; akin to rodent

Word History and Origins

Origin of corrode¹

C14: from Latin corrōdere to gnaw to pieces, from rōdere to gnaw; see rodent , rat

Example Sentences

“Punish,” the latest offering from the Southern Gothic alt-pop star Ethel Cain, is a smoldering slow burn, a sparse piano ballad that stretches for nearly seven minutes and gradually corrodes.

From New York Times

He spent years sowing doubts and corroding faith in our judicial and political systems, spraying insults like a spiteful crop-duster.

From Los Angeles Times

He adds that migration is an "emotive and complicated issue", but the UK and other Western nations should avoid "cherry-picking the best and corroding African states from being successful themselves".

From BBC

Over time, as these pipes have corroded, they have leached lead — a chemical with no safe level of exposure — into tap water.

From Los Angeles Times

Before consuming, inspect all food for any signs of spoilage, and discard any canned goods that appear swollen, dented or corroded.

From Salon

Related Words

• deteriorate
• erode
• impair
• rot
• rust