Word
wither
Phoneticswith·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɪðɝ/
UK/wˈɪðɐ/
Definition
v. to become dry and weak, or to slowly disappear. You use this when a plant dies from lack of water or when a person's confidence starts to fade.
v. to become dry and shrivelled, typically as a result of heat or lack of moisture; to lose vitality, force, or freshness. Often used metaphorically to describe the decline of abstract qualities like hope or influence.
Examples
“The flowers will wither if you do not water them.”
“Without constant investment and care, the local community garden began to wither under the summer sun.”
“The senator watched his political support wither as the scandal deepened, eventually leaving him without enough allies to block the upcoming vote.”
Examples
simple
“The flowers will wither if you do not water them.”
contextual
“Without constant investment and care, the local community garden began to wither under the summer sun.”
complex
“The senator watched his political support wither as the scandal deepened, eventually leaving him without enough allies to block the upcoming vote.”
Usage
Intransitive when describing plants or abstract qualities; can be used transitively in literary contexts to mean 'to cause to shrivel'.
Real-World Examples
“However, it said previous drought conditions across much of the UK may have caused food plants used by caterpillars to wither before they had finished feeding.” Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
- 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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