atrophy
2 antonyms and opposites of atrophy, grouped by meaning.
Noun — The wasting away or weakening of a body part, usually a muscle or organ, from disease, injury, or lack of use.
Antonyms
How to use atrophy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Greek atrophia, "a wasting away," built from a- ("not") and trophe ("nourishment") — literally, not being fed.
Full origin of atrophy →Frequently asked questions
What does “atrophy” mean?
The word “atrophy” means the wasting away or weakening of a body part, usually a muscle or organ, from disease, injury, or lack of use. In plain terms, when a body part, skill, or system weakens or shrinks because it isn't being used.
How do you pronounce “atrophy”?
“Atrophy” is pronounced AT-ruh-fee (/ˈæt.ɹə.fi/ in IPA).
How do you use “atrophy” in a sentence?
Here is “atrophy” used in a sentence: “Long periods in a cast can cause muscle atrophy.”
What is the opposite of “atrophy”?
The opposite of “atrophy” — its antonyms — are hypertrophy and strengthen.
What part of speech is “atrophy”?
Depending on how it is used, “atrophy” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “atrophy” come from?
The word “atrophy” comes from Greek. From Greek atrophia, "a wasting away," built from a- ("not") and trophe ("nourishment") — literally, not being fed.
How many meanings does “atrophy” have?
“Atrophy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the wasting away or weakening of a body part, usually a muscle or organ, from disease, injury, or lack of use.