wither Meaning & Definition
What Does Wither Mean?
Wither is used as a verb meaning To shrivel, droop or dry up, especially from lack of water. It is also used to mean To cause to shrivel or dry up. As a noun, it means singular of withers (“part of the back of a four-legged animal that is between the shoulder blades”). As an adverb, it means Against, in opposition to.
Quick Facts About Wither
| Part of speech | verb, noun, adverb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈwɪðə/ |
| Synonyms | shrink, fade and shrivel |
| Plural | withers |
| Comparative / superlative | more wither, most wither |
| Verb forms | withers, withering, withered |
Wither Definition (Verb)
- To shrivel, droop or dry up, especially from lack of water.
The flowers began to wither in the hot sun without enough water.
- To cause to shrivel or dry up.
- To lose vigour or power; to languish; to waste away; to pass away.
- To become helpless due to emotion.
- To make helpless due to emotion.
(Can we add an example for this sense?)
Wither as a Noun
- singular of withers (“part of the back of a four-legged animal that is between the shoulder blades”)
Wither as an Adverb
- Against, in opposition to.
Verb
- To go against, resist; oppose.
Verb
- To lose vigour or power; to languish; to pass away.
Synonyms of Wither
Wither synonyms and antonyms →Wither in a Sentence
The flowers began to wither in the hot sun without enough water.
She watched as the old tree slowly withered with time.
Without care, the crops will wither and fail to grow.
(Can we add an example for this sense?)
Word Forms & Grammar
wither (third-person singular simple present withers, present participle withering, simple past and past participle withered)
wither (plural withers)
wither (comparative more wither, superlative most wither)
Words That Rhyme With Wither
Origin of Wither
Origin 1: From Middle English widren, wydderen (“to dry up, shrivel”), related to or perhaps an alteration of Middle English wederen (“to expose to weather”), from Old English wederian (“to expose to weather, exhibit a change of weather”).
Origin 2: See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
Origin 3: From Middle English wither, from Old English wiþer (“again, against”, adverb in compounds), from Proto-West Germanic *wiþr (“against, toward”).
Origin 4: From Middle English witheren, from Old English wiþerian (“to resist, oppose, struggle against”).
Wither: Your Questions Answered
Is wither a verb or a noun?
Wither is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun and an adverb.
What is another word for wither?
Close synonyms of wither are shrink, fade and shrivel. See the full list of wither synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of wither?
The plural of wither is withers.
What is the past tense of wither?
The past tense of wither is withered. The present participle is withering.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of wither?
The comparative form is more wither and the superlative form is most wither.