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Spell Bee Word: Decay


What does decay mean?

Word: Decay

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: Decay means to go bad and break down slowly over time, as old fruit or wood does.

Synonyms: spoil, crumble

Antonyms: grow

How do you spell decay?

Syllables: de - cay

Tricky part: The word finishes with ay, as in day, not ey or ai. Children who forget this write decey or decai.

Watch out for: decey, decai, deecay

Memory tip: Fallen leaves decay day by day, and decay ends with the same ay as day.

Decay in a sentence

Example 1: The old wooden gate began to decay after many monsoons.

Example 2: Brush twice a day so your teeth do not decay.

Example 3: Fruit left in a warm room will decay in a few days.

Fun Fact

Tooth decay starts when germs in the mouth turn sugar into acid, which slowly eats into enamel, the hard outer layer of the tooth.

Practise the CREST Way

Word Connection

Choose the synonym of the word:

decay

a) float
b) rot
c) shine
d) build

Show answer

b) rot. Decay and rot both mean breaking down slowly.

Spell-o-Spell

Choose the incorrectly spelt word:

a) mouldy
b) dicay
c) crumble
d) rotten

Show answer

b) dicay. Decay begins with de; rotten, mouldy and crumble are all spelt correctly.

Word Cookie

Find the misspelt word in the sentence:

The pumpkins left in the damp shed began to dekay after a week.

a) week
b) pumpkins
c) damp
d) dekay

Show answer

d) dekay. The hard sound in decay is made by a c, not a k.

Mingle-Mangle

Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:

yceda

a) dceay
b) cdeay
c) edcay
d) decay

Show answer

d) decay. The word ends with ay, as day does; put the other three letters in front.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. An apple left on the ground for weeks will ____.

a) turn hard and shiny
b) stay fresh and red
c) grow big and round
d) go soft and brown

Show answer

d) go soft and brown

2. Left out in the rain for years, which one will not decay?

a) a glass bottle
b) a dead leaf
c) a banana peel
d) a slice of bread

Show answer

a) a glass bottle

Associated Words

spendyogaimitateassembledevelop
islandpreciouschallengehuntressharbour

Next steps

How to participate in CREST International Spell Bee

The CREST International Spell Bee (CSB) is conducted in two editions – CREST International Spell Bee - Summer (CSB) and CREST International Spell Bee - Winter (CSBW) – giving students across the globe an opportunity to showcase and enhance their spelling proficiency. Designed for young learners from Senior KG to Class 8, the competition focuses on word-building, pronunciation, and vocabulary enrichment, helping students develop strong linguistic skills.

Steps to Participate:

Step 1: Visit the registration page and complete the registration with your desired subject.

Step 2: After Registration done, do login at www.crestolympiads.com/login.

Step 3: After login, go to dashboard and click on Book slot/Take Exam

Step 4: Schedule your exam date and preferred time.

Step 5: Log in with your credentials on the exam day at the scheduled time and take the exam.

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