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

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

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
荒む すさむ
 
進む すさむ
 
遊む すさむ

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)