verb

languish

LANG-gwihsh

verb

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 notes

In 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.

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Common pairings

languish in prison languish in obscurity languish for years

languished past tense, languishes singular

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The prisoner _____ in his cell for years without trial.

From Anglo-Norman languir, ultimately from Latin languere, "to be faint or weak."

bluish squish anguish vanquish relinquish extinguish distinguish