wither
Wither (verb) means to shrink, dry up, or lose freshness, especially from lack of water. Example: “The flowers withered in the summer heat.”
How to use wither
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo dry up and shrink, or to slowly fade away or lose strength.
Word forms
more wither comparative, withered past tense, withered past tense, Withers plural, withers singular, withers singular, most wither superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The flowers _____ in the summer heat.
Etymology
From Middle English widren, related to weather — originally describing something being worn down by exposure to the elements.
Rhymes for wither
See all rhymes for wither →Frequently asked questions
What does “wither” mean?
The word “wither” means to shrink, dry up, or lose freshness, especially from lack of water. In plain terms, to dry up and shrink, or to slowly fade away or lose strength.
How do you pronounce “wither”?
“Wither” is pronounced WIH-thuh (/ˈwɪðɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wither” in a sentence?
Here is “wither” used in a sentence: “The flowers withered in the summer heat.”
What part of speech is “wither”?
“Wither” is a verb.
Where does the word “wither” come from?
The word “wither” comes from Middle English. From Middle English widren, related to weather — originally describing something being worn down by exposure to the elements.
How many meanings does “wither” have?
“Wither” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to shrink, dry up, or lose freshness, especially from lack of water.
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