Languish Meaning
/ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo lose or lack vitality; to grow weak or feeble.
verbTo lose strength and become weak; to be in a state of weakness or sickness.
Sentence Examples
The plants began to languish without water.
He languished in prison for years.
Now that I've lost him, all I can do is languish.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Without proper sunlight and water, the plant will ____ and eventually die.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Without proper care, the patient will ____ in the hospital.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English languysshen, from the present participle stem of Anglo-Norman and Middle French languir, from Late Latin languīre, alteration of Latin languēre (“to be faint, unwell”). : Compare languor, languid and lax. : Cognate with slack.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"We […] do languish of such diseases."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Esdras 8:31:
"An elderly Hungarian found languishing in a Russian mental hospital could finally be allowed to return home - 55 years after being taken prisoner by the Russian Army."
— 2000 August 2, “Hungarian POW to go home after 55 years”, in BBC News:
"He is an excellent young man, and will suit Harriet exactly: it will be an "exactly so," as he says himself; but he does sigh and languish, and study for compliments rather more than I could endure as a principal."
— 1815, Jane Austen, Emma:
"His bowstring slackened, languid Love, / Leaning his cheek upon his hand, / Droops both his wings, regarding thee, / And so would languish evermore, / Serene, imperial Eleänore."
— a. 1833, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, “Eleänore”, in Poems, page 31:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Without proper sunlight and water, the plant will ____ and eventually die.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Without proper care, the patient will ____ in the hospital.