Godan verb, intransitive verb

  1. to grow wild, to run to waste, to become degenerate.
  2. to become rough (of art, craft, etc.), to lose refinement, to deteriorate (of skill).

Godan verb, auxiliary verb, intransitive verb

Usu. after -masu stem.
  1. to intensify (of wind, rain, etc.), to become more severe.

Godan verb, intransitive verb

Archaism.
  1. to do as one pleases, to amuse oneself, to play around.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
荒ぶ すさぶ
 
進ぶ すさぶ
 
遊ぶ すさぶ

Contained Kanji Breakdown

laid waste, rough, rude
あら.い あ.らす コウ (7th, N2)
grass, grass radical (no. 140)
a watery waste, to reach
deceased, the late, dying
ボウ な.い モウ (6th, N3)
kettle lid radical (no. 8)
トウ (Kentei 1)
fishhook radical(乙) variant
stream, river, river or three-stroke river radical (no. 47)
かわ セン か (1st, N5)