wither — to become dry and shriveled; to fade or decay
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to become dry and shriveled; to fade or decay
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈwɪðər/
Example Sentences
- My houseplant withered because I forgot to water it for three weeks.
- His dreams of becoming a pop star withered after his voice cracked during the audition.
- The teacher's withering stare made the noisy students immediately quiet down.
wither
VERB[/ˈwɪðər/]
to become dry and shriveled; to fade or decay
The roses on her windowsill began to wither after a week without water.
Walking hither and thither, watching flowers wither
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Middle English 'witheren', likely derived from Old English 'weðer' meaning 'weather' or 'storm'. The word evolved to mean 'to dry up' as if weathered or exposed to harsh conditions.
Breakdown
with- (possibly from Old English 'weðer' meaning weather) + -er (verb suffix) = wither (to dry up or fade away)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My houseplant withered because I forgot to water it for three weeks.”
“His dreams of becoming a pop star withered after his voice cracked during the audition.”
“The teacher's withering stare made the noisy students immediately quiet down.”
“Without regular practice, even the most talented skills will wither.”
📚Related Words
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