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degenerative + noun
常作定语，修饰 disease、condition、changes 等表示疾病或病变的名词。
Degenerative diseases often worsen over time.
退行性疾病通常会随着时间推移而恶化。
退行性的；变性的
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
退行性的；变性的
of an illness, causing organs or cells to gradually break down and lose their function
Degenerative diseases often worsen over time.
退行性疾病通常会随着时间推移而恶化。
以退化为特征或引起退化的。
Characterized by or causing degeneration.
(疾病)以器官和细胞逐渐退化及功能丧失为特征
(of illness) marked by gradual deterioration of organs and cells along with loss of function
Her grandmother's arthritis is a degenerative disease that gets worse over time.
她祖母的关节炎是一种会随着时间推移而恶化的退行性疾病。
AI contextual example
As people age, their joints may show degenerative changes that cause stiffness.
随着年龄增长，人们的关节可能会出现导致僵硬的退行性变化。
AI contextual example
The doctor told us that the condition is degenerative, so we need to plan for the future.
医生告诉我们这种病症是退行性的，所以我们需要为将来做打算。
AI contextual example
degenerative diseases of old age
老年退行性疾病。
WordNet
常作定语，修饰 disease、condition、changes 等表示疾病或病变的名词。
Degenerative diseases often worsen over time.
退行性疾病通常会随着时间推移而恶化。
作表语时说明疾病或状态具有退行性，常与 become 连用表示逐渐变化。
The condition becomes degenerative in its later stages.
这种疾病在晚期会变成退行性的。
Not this
He has a degenerative.
Use this
He has a degenerative disease.
degenerative 是形容词，不能单独作名词；需后接名词（如 disease）表示“退行性疾病”，句子结构才完整。
Not this
He is a degenerative person.
Use this
He is a degenerate person.
degenerative 只用于疾病或器官的退行性变化，不用于描述人的道德品质；形容人道德堕落应用 degenerate。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
退行性疾病
Alzheimer's is a progressive degenerative disease.
阿尔茨海默病是一种进行性退行性疾病。
退行性改变
The MRI showed degenerative changes in the spine.
核磁共振显示脊柱有退行性改变。
退行性过程
Aging involves a natural degenerative process in the body.
衰老涉及身体自然的退行性过程。
退行性关节炎
The doctor diagnosed him with degenerative arthritis in the knee.
医生诊断他患有膝关节退行性关节炎。
退行性椎间盘疾病
Degenerative disc disease can cause chronic back pain.
退行性椎间盘疾病可导致慢性背痛。
Use degenerative naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
联想法：degenerative里藏着generate（产生），疾病让细胞不再产生新活力，一点点退化，就是“退行性的”。
语域：formal 常见场景：medical reports、health education materials、research papers 该词为医学术语，多用于正式或书面语境，如医学报告、健康教育和学术文献。日常口语中较少使用，更常见的说法是‘deteriorating’或‘getting worse’。
与 degenerative 真正押韵的词有 regenerative /rɪˈdʒɛnɚətɪv/ 和 generative /ˈdʒɛnɚətɪv/，它们都含有相同的 /-dʒɛnɚətɪv/ 结尾。注意拼写相似的 alternative /ɔːlˈtɝːnətɪv/ 和 conservative /kənˈsɝːvətɪv/ 重读元音不同，并不押韵；degenerate /dɪˈdʒɛnɚət/ 则少了 /-ətɪv/ 的尾部，发音也不同。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.