vegetate

[ vej-i-teyt ]

verb (used without object)

, veg·e·tat·ed, veg·e·tat·ing.

1. to grow in, or as in, the manner of a plant.
2. to be passive or unthinking; to do nothing:

   to lie on the beach and vegetate.

3. Pathology. to grow, or increase by growth, as an excrescence.

vegetate

/ ˈvɛdʒɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. to grow like a plant; sprout
2. to lead a life characterized by monotony, passivity, or mental inactivity
3. pathol (of a wart, polyp, etc) to develop fleshy outgrowths

Word History and Origins

Origin of vegetate¹

1595–1605; < Latin vegetātus (past participle of vegetāre to quicken, enliven), equivalent to veget ( us ) lively (originally past participle of vegēre to give vigor) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vegetate¹

C17: from Late Latin vegetāre to invigorate

Example Sentences

A long-distance lorry driver, he said he had no option but to pay privately or "sit and do nothing, vegetate and slow up".

From BBC

I vegetate between steps, and that’s when I listen to music a lot.

From New York Times

Made up of local efforts across 11 countries, it has reached just 16% of its overall goal to vegetate 150 million hectares.

From Science Magazine

During her many spells in hospital she didn't want to sit on her bed and "vegetate."

From BBC

“We could allow the island to naturally vegetate, but it’s going to take years for it to do it, so this is a good way to give it a jump start,” he said.

From Washington Times