Library / English Dictionary

VEGETATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Engage in passive relaxation

Example:

After a hard day's work, I vegetate in front of the television

Synonyms:

vege out; vegetate

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "vegetate" is one way to...):

decompress; loosen up; relax; slow down; unbend; unwind (become less tense, rest, or take one's ease)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

vegetation (inactivity that is passive and monotonous, comparable to the inactivity of plant life)

vegetative (of or relating to an activity that is passive and monotonous)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Propagate asexually

Example:

The bacterial growth vegetated along

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "vegetate" is one way to...):

propagate (multiply sexually or asexually)

Domain category:

biological science; biology (the science that studies living organisms)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

vegetative ((of reproduction) characterized by asexual processes)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Grow or spread abnormally

Example:

warts and polyps can vegetate if not removed

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "vegetate" is one way to...):

grow (become larger, greater, or bigger; expand or gain)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

vegetation (an abnormal growth or excrescence (especially a warty excrescence on the valves of the heart))

Sense 4

Meaning:

Grow like a plant

Example:

This fungus usually vegetates vigorously

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "vegetate" is one way to...):

grow (increase in size by natural process)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

vegetation (the process of growth in plants)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Produce vegetation

Example:

The fields vegetate vigorously

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "vegetate" is one way to...):

grow (increase in size by natural process)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

vegetation (the process of growth in plants)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Establish vegetation on

Example:

They vegetated the hills behind their house

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "vegetate" is one way to...):

grow (cause to grow or develop)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

vegetation (all the plant life in a particular region or period)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Lead a passive existence without using one's body or mind

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "vegetate" is one way to...):

live (lead a certain kind of life; live in a certain style)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

vegetation (inactivity that is passive and monotonous, comparable to the inactivity of plant life)

vegetative (of or relating to an activity that is passive and monotonous)

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