adj
dwindling
Dwindling (adj) means Steadily becoming smaller or less. Example: “The charity relies on a dwindling number of volunteers.”
adj
1
Steadily becoming smaller or less.
"The charity relies on a dwindling number of volunteers."
noun
1
The process of gradually shrinking or reducing to almost nothing.
"The dwindling of the town's population worried local officials."
How to use dwindling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSteadily getting smaller, fewer, or weaker over time.
Common pairings
dwindling supplies
dwindling numbers
dwindling resources
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Word forms
- Plural
- dwindlings
- Comparative
- more dwindling
- Superlative
- most dwindling
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The charity relies on a _____ number of volunteers.
Etymology
From "dwindle," which comes from Old English dwīnan, "to fade away" or "waste."
Synonyms
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dwindling away
tapering
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dwindling
See all rhymes for dwindling →Frequently asked questions
What does “dwindling” mean?
The word “dwindling” means steadily becoming smaller or less. In plain terms, steadily getting smaller, fewer, or weaker over time.
How do you use “dwindling” in a sentence?
Here is “dwindling” used in a sentence: “The charity relies on a dwindling number of volunteers.”
What part of speech is “dwindling”?
Depending on how it is used, “dwindling” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “dwindling” come from?
The word “dwindling” comes from Old English. From "dwindle," which comes from Old English dwīnan, "to fade away" or "waste.".
How many meanings does “dwindling” have?
“Dwindling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: steadily becoming smaller or less.
