# degeneracy

> English word · Noun · IPA /dɪˈd͡ʒɛnəɹəsi/ · frequency rank #45,877

## Definitions
1. The state of being degenerate (in all senses).
2. The ability of one part of the brain to take over another's function without being overexerted.
3. A limiting case of a class of objects which appears to be qualitatively different from (and usually simpler than) the rest of the class.

## Etymology
From degenerate + -cy.

## Easily confused with
- **degenerate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/degeneracy-vs-degenerate)

## Common misspellings (15)
`ddegeneracy`, `deegneracy`, `degeenracy`, `degenearcy`, `degeneraccy`, `degeneracyy`, `degenerayc`, `degenercay`, `degenerracy`, `degenneracy`, `degenreacy`, `deggeneracy`, `degneeracy`, `dgeeneracy`, `edgeneracy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/degeneracy