languish
Languish (verb) means to gradually lose strength, vitality, or spirit, especially over a long period of neglect or hardship. Example: “The prisoner languished in his cell for years without trial.”
How to use languish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo slowly waste away or fail to make progress, usually because of neglect.
Often paired with "in" — languishing in prison, in obscurity, in a queue.
Trace the full origin ↓Word forms
languished past tense, languishes singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The prisoner _____ in his cell for years without trial.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman languir, ultimately from Latin languere, "to be faint or weak."
Related words
Rhymes for languish
See all rhymes for languish →Frequently asked questions
What does “languish” mean?
The word “languish” means to gradually lose strength, vitality, or spirit, especially over a long period of neglect or hardship. In plain terms, to slowly waste away or fail to make progress, usually because of neglect.
How do you pronounce “languish”?
“Languish” is pronounced LANG-gwihsh (/ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “languish” in a sentence?
Here is “languish” used in a sentence: “The prisoner languished in his cell for years without trial.”
What part of speech is “languish”?
“Languish” is a verb.
Where does the word “languish” come from?
The word “languish” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman languir, ultimately from Latin languere, "to be faint or weak.".