Word
atrophy
Phoneticsat·ro·phy, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈætɹəfi/
UK/ˈætɹəfi/
Definitions
01wasting of body tissue
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Medicine Technical
n. the process where a body part, like a muscle, gets smaller and weaker because of illness or lack of movement.
n. the progressive degeneration or shrinkage of muscle or nerve tissue, typically resulting from disease or prolonged physical inactivity.
“After six weeks in a cast, the muscles in his leg showed signs of atrophy.”
“The patient exhibited significant muscular atrophy in the lower limbs following several months of enforced bed rest.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun in medical contexts.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02decline of a skill or power
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. the loss of a skill, ability, or power because you do not use it enough.
n. a gradual decline in effectiveness or vigour due to underuse or neglect.
“The atrophy of his social skills was obvious after he spent a year living alone.”
“Critics argued that the constant use of calculators led to a general atrophy of basic mental arithmetic skills among students.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03to waste away
C1 · Advanced Academic
v. to become weak or smaller because of lack of use.
v. to undergo the process of wasting away or becoming ineffective; to wither.
“Without regular practice, your ability to speak a second language will slowly atrophy.”
“The political movement began to atrophy once its primary objectives were met and the leadership lost its sense of purpose.”
Usage
Primarily used as an intransitive verb.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Tim Tozer, a former chair of Vauxhall, said that tariffs were “vital” to stop Britain’s car sector “atrophying”.” “Weaken it too much with Botox and it stops ‘exercising’ – it can atrophy, and brows drop lower, earlier than they otherwise would.” “Missing them seems like a small gripe amid a global health crisis, but our mental health and happiness can atrophy when these bolt holes are suddenly removed.” Etymology
Borrowed from French atrophie, from Latin atrophia, from Ancient Greek ἀτροφία (atrophía, “a wasting away”), from ἄτροφος (átrophos, “ill-fed, un-nourished”), from ἀ- (a-, “not”) + τροφή (trophḗ, “nourishment”), from τρέφω (tréphō, “I fatten”). Equivalent to a- + -trophy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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