putrefy

[ pyoo-truh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, pu·tre·fied, pu·tre·fy·ing.

1. to render putrid; cause to rot or decay with an offensive odor.

verb (used without object)

, pu·tre·fied, pu·tre·fy·ing.

1. to become putrid; rot.

   Synonyms: spoil, decompose

2. to become gangrenous.

putrefy

/ ˌpjuːtrɪˈfækʃən; ˈpjuːtrɪˌfaɪ; ˌpjuːtrɪˈfeɪʃənt /

verb

1. (of organic matter) to decompose or rot with an offensive smell

Derived Forms

• putrefaction, noun
• ˈputreˌfiable, adjective
• ˌputreˈfactive, adjective
• ˈputreˌfier, noun

Other Words From

• putre·fia·ble adjective
• putre·fier noun
• un·putre·fia·ble adjective
• un·putre·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of putrefy¹

1350–1400; Middle English putrefien < Middle French putrefier < Vulgar Latin *putreficāre, for Latin putrefacere to make rotten

Word History and Origins

Origin of putrefy¹

C15: from Old French putrefier + Latin putrefacere, from puter rotten + facere to make

Example Sentences

The late Palestinian poet’s new and collected work, Hoffman says, “beams through the current darkness: ‘After we die, / and the weary heart / has lowered its final eyelid / on all that we’ve done, / and on all that we’ve longed for, / on all that we’ve dreamt of, / all we’ve desired / or felt, / hate will be / the first thing / to putrefy / within us.’”

From Los Angeles Times

A: Obviously, meat will putrefy and smell awful.

From Seattle Times

In fact, if Meta truly wanted to help clean up the cesspool of misinformation that has been allowed to putrefy on social media, it would voluntarily adopt similar disclosures for political advertising throughout the United States and in foreign countries.

From Seattle Times

They attract rats, flies and other pests and tend to putrefy rather than break down, causing nasty smells, according to the Riverside County guide.

From Los Angeles Times

Tories can dress it up in different costumes, stick a Boris-style wig on it, spray it with perfume, but the idea itself has started to putrefy.

From The Guardian