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adjective Common

wasting

WAYS-tihng

Wasting (adjective) means causing the body to lose muscle or fat, becoming progressively weaker. Example: “The illness led to a severe wasting of muscle tissue.”

adjective
1
Causing the body to lose muscle or fat, becoming progressively weaker.
"The illness led to a severe wasting of muscle tissue."
noun
1
The gradual loss of strength, weight, or substance over time.
"Doctors were concerned by the rapid wasting they observed."

How to Use Wasting

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGradually losing bulk, strength, or body mass, especially through illness.

Common pairings
a wasting disease muscle wasting

Word Forms

wastings plural

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Test yourself on “wasting” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

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The illness led to a severe _____ of muscle tissue.

Related Words

Rhymes for wasting

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “wasting” mean?

The word “wasting” means causing the body to lose muscle or fat, becoming progressively weaker. In plain terms, gradually losing bulk, strength, or body mass, especially through illness.

How do you pronounce “wasting”?

“Wasting” is pronounced WAYS-tihng (/ˈweɪstɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “wasting” in a sentence?

Here is “wasting” used in a sentence: “The illness led to a severe wasting of muscle tissue.”

What part of speech is “wasting”?

Depending on how it is used, “wasting” can be an adjective and a noun.

Is “wasting” a common word?

“Wasting” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “wasting” have?

“Wasting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: causing the body to lose muscle or fat, becoming progressively weaker.

What is the difference between 'wasting' and 'wasting away'?

As an adjective or noun, 'wasting' describes the gradual loss of muscle, weight, or strength. 'Wasting away' is the phrasal form meaning to become progressively thinner and weaker over time. They describe the same decline, one as a description and one as an ongoing action.

What is a 'wasting disease'?

A 'wasting disease' is an illness that causes the body to lose muscle or fat and grow progressively weaker. The adjective 'wasting' points to this steady physical decline rather than a sudden loss.

What is the difference between 'wasting' and 'atrophy'?

'Wasting' is a general term for the gradual loss of strength, weight, or bodily substance. 'Atrophy' is the more technical, often medical, word for the shrinking or wasting of a specific tissue, muscle, or organ. Atrophy is one particular mechanism of wasting.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial