Wither Meaning
/ˈwɪðə/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo shrivel, droop or dry up, especially from lack of water.
verbTo cause to shrivel or dry up.
Sentence Examples
Oh luck! Like the moon, you steadily change, you always grow and then wither again.
If you don't water the plants, they will wither.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Without enough water, the flowers will ____ and die under the hot sun.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
If you don't water the small plants regularly, they will eventually begin to ____ and several die in the hot sun today.
Word Origin & History
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”). Cognates From Proto-Germanic: Dutch verwederen, Dutch verweren (“to erode by weather”), German verwittern, wittern (“to be ruined by weather; to erode”), Swedish vittra (“wither”). More at weather.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"There was a man which had his hand withered."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 12:10:
"This is man, old, wrinkled, faded, withered."
— c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene v]:
"now warm in love, now with'ring in the grave"
— 1700, [John] Dryden, “Palamon and Arcite: Or, The Knight’s Tale. In Three Books.”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
"names that must not wither"
— 1812–1818, Lord Byron, “(please specify |canto=I to IV)”, in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. , London: John Murray,, (please specify the stanza number):
"States thrive or wither as moons wax and wane."
— 1782, William Cowper, Expostulation:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Without enough water, the flowers will ____ and die under the hot sun.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
If you don't water the small plants regularly, they will eventually begin to ____ and several die in the hot sun today.