dégringolade

[ dey-gran-gaw-lad; English dey-grang-guh-lahd ]

noun

, plural dé·grin·go·lades [dey-g, r, a, n, -gaw-, lad, dey-grang-g, uh, -, lahdz].

1. French. a quick deterioration or breakdown, as of a situation or circumstance.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dégringolade¹

First recorded in 1880–85; literally “a quick deterioration,” from dégringoler “to tumble down” + -ade ¹

Related Words

• decline
• degradation
• depreciation
• devaluation
• disintegration
• dislocation
• downturn
• slump
• worsening