What does "wither" mean?
singular of withers (“part of the back of a four-legged animal that is between the shoulder blades”)
Wither
/ˈwɪðɚ/ adv, name, noun, verb
adv, name, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: singular of withers (“part of the back of a four-legged animal that is between the shoulder blades”)
- Grammar: wither is listed as adv, name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: age, air-dry, anhydrate, atrophied.
- Useful contrasts: berried, flowered dress, flowering plant growth.
- Usage evidence: Oh luck! Like the moon, you steadily change, you always grow and then wither again.
How to use "wither"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "wither" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "wither" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "wither" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "wither" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "wither" is acting as adv, name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "age" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 singular of withers (“part of the back of a four-legged animal that is between the shoulder blades”) form-of, singular
"Timozel had slid his feet quickly from the stirrups and swung his leg over the horse's wither as it slumped to the ground, standing himself in one graceful movement."
Verb
- 1 To shrivel, droop or dry up, especially from lack of water. intransitive
"The flowers began to wither in the hot sun without enough water."
- 2 To go against, resist; oppose.
- 3 wither, as with a loss of moisture wordnet
- 4 To cause to shrivel or dry up. transitive
"There was a man which had his hand withered."
- 5 lose freshness, vigor, or vitality wordnet
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 To lose vigour or power; to languish; to waste away; to pass away. figuratively, intransitive
"names that must not wither"
- 7 To become helpless due to emotion. intransitive
- 8 To make helpless due to emotion. transitive
Adverb
- 1 Against, in opposition to. in-compounds, obsolete
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Antonyms
Example
"Oh luck! Like the moon, you steadily change, you always grow and then wither again."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "wither"?
Common synonyms include: age, air-dry, anhydrate, atrophied, atrophies, atrophy.
How do you use "wither" in a sentence?
Oh luck! Like the moon, you steadily change, you always grow and then wither again.
How do you pronounce "wither"?
Pronounced /ˈwɪðɚ/.
Etymology
Etymology 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”). 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.
Etymology 2
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
Etymology 3
From Middle English wither, from Old English wiþer (“again, against”, adverb in compounds), from Proto-West Germanic *wiþr (“against, toward”). Cognates From Proto-Germanic: Low German wedder (“against”), Dutch weer (“again, back”), German wider (“against, contrary to”), German wieder (“again”), Gothic 𐍅𐌹𐌸𐍂𐌰 (wiþra), Old Norse viðr. More at with.
Etymology 4
From Middle English witheren, from Old English wiþerian (“to resist, oppose, struggle against”). Cognates From Proto-Germanic: Middle Dutch wideren, Old High German widarōn.