languish — to lose or lack vitality; to remain in an unpleasant or undesirable situation
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to lose or lack vitality; to remain in an unpleasant or undesirable situation
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlæŋɡwɪʃ/
Example Sentences
- My gym membership has been languishing unused since I bought that exercise bike.
- The brilliant scientist languished in a dead-end job for years.
- His dating life continued to languish despite buying expensive cologne.
languish
VERB[/ˈlæŋɡwɪʃ/]
to lose or lack vitality; to remain in an unpleasant or undesirable situation
The forgotten prisoner continued to languish in the damp castle dungeon for years.
A tongue's wish in prison - languishing away!
Don't languish in anguish - rise up and vanquish!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old French 'languir', derived from Latin 'languere' meaning 'to be faint or weak'. The Latin root is related to 'languidus' (languid, faint).
Breakdown
From Latin 'languere' (to be weak/faint) + Old French suffix '-ir' (infinitive ending) = languish (to weaken or remain weakly)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My gym membership has been languishing unused since I bought that exercise bike.”
“The brilliant scientist languished in a dead-end job for years.”
“His dating life continued to languish despite buying expensive cologne.”
“The reforms languished in committee for months without any progress.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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