verb
languish
LANG-gwihsh
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.”
verb
1
To gradually lose strength, vitality, or spirit, especially over a long period of neglect or hardship.
"The prisoner languished in his cell for years without trial."
"The project languished for months after funding was cut."
How to use languish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo slowly waste away or fail to make progress, usually because of neglect.
Memory tip
Often paired with "in" — languishing in prison, in obscurity, in a queue.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
languish in prison
languish in obscurity
languish for years
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like languish.
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
- Third person singular
- languishes
- Past tense
- languished
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.".
