noun
atrophy
AT-ruh-fee
Atrophy (noun) means the wasting away or weakening of a body part, usually a muscle or organ, from disease, injury, or lack of use. Example: “Long periods in a cast can cause muscle atrophy.”
noun
1
The wasting away or weakening of a body part, usually a muscle or organ, from disease, injury, or lack of use.
"Long periods in a cast can cause muscle atrophy."
"Astronauts exercise daily in space to prevent bone atrophy."
verb
1
To waste away or grow weaker from lack of use.
"Skills you never practice tend to atrophy over time."
"His leg muscles atrophied after months of bed rest."
How to use atrophy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhen a body part, skill, or system weakens or shrinks because it isn't being used.
Memory tip
Often used figuratively too — a skill or relationship can "atrophy" just like a muscle.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
muscle atrophy
atrophy from disuse
begin to atrophy
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like atrophy.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- atrophies
- Third person singular
- atrophies
- Past tense
- atrophied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Long periods in a cast can cause muscle _____.
Etymology
From Greek atrophia, "a wasting away," built from a- ("not") and trophe ("nourishment") — literally, not being fed.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for atrophy
See all rhymes for 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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include atrophy:
