# wither

/ˈwɪðɝ/ (US) · /wˈɪðɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wither
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Intransitive when describing plants or abstract qualities; can be used transitively in literary contexts to mean 'to cause to shrivel'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.