decompose

verb

de·​com·​pose ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz 

decomposed; decomposing; decomposes

transitive verb

1

: to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds

decompose water by electrolysis

decompose a word into its base and affixes

2

: rot

intransitive verb

: to break up into constituent parts by or as if by a chemical process : decay, rot

fruit decomposes

decomposability

ˌdē-kəm-ˌpō-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

decomposable

ˌdē-kəm-ˈpō-zə-bəl 

adjective

decomposition

(ˌ)dē-ˌkäm-pə-ˈzi-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• break down
• corrupt
• decay
• disintegrate
• fester
• foul
• mold
• molder
• perish [chiefly British]
• putrefy
• rot
• spoil

Choose the Right Synonym for decompose

decay, decompose, rot, putrefy, spoil mean to undergo destructive dissolution.

decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection.

a decaying mansion

decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.

the strong odor of decomposing vegetation

rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness.

fruit was left to rot in warehouses

putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell.

corpses putrefying on the battlefield

spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods.

keep the ham from spoiling

Examples of decompose in a Sentence

Bacteria and fungi help decompose organic matter.

the smell of decomposing leaves

The compound will decompose in the presence of light.

Recent Examples on the Web

The composting bin contains some 250,000 red wiggler worms that feast on the manure of the animals and poultry that live on the farm, and decompose plant detritus, coffee grounds, and table scraps as well. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025

In a forensic context, mummification occurs when a dead body dries out instead of decomposing as normal, due to a warm, dry and well-ventilated environment, according to the National Library of Medicine. —Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025

Russell and Tolstoy did not spare their readers, depicting ghastly scenes replete with torn and bloodied bodies and decomposing animal carcasses. —Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025

Ingesting Microplastics Plastic straws take up to 200 years to decompose, according to the World Wildlife Fund. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French décomposer, from dé- de + composer to compose

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for decompose

• agarose
• aliquots
• amigos
• anthracnose
• bottlenose
• buffaloes
• bungalows
• calicoes
• cameos
• commandos
• conversos
• dominoes

Kids Definition

decompose

verb

de·​com·​pose ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz 

1

: to separate a thing into its parts or into simpler compounds

decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen

2

: to break down through chemical change : rot

decomposable

-ˈpō-zə-bəl 

adjective

Medical Definition

decompose

verb

de·​com·​pose ˌdē-kəm-ˈpōz 

decomposed; decomposing

transitive verb

: to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds

decompose water by electrolysis

intransitive verb

: to undergo chemical breakdown : decay, rot

fruit decomposes

decomposability

-ˌpō-zə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural decomposabilities

decomposable

-ˈpō-zə-bəl 

adjective