[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/withering/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [W](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/w/) / withering

# withering

adjective (withering); verb, -ing form of wither (wither, withers, withered, withering)

«withering» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Of a plant: drying up, shrinking and dying, for example because it has no water. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/withering/#m1)
2. (adjective) A withering look or remark is very scornful and makes someone feel small and foolish. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/withering/#m2)
3. (adjective) Extremely strong and damaging, like "withering heat" or "withering fire". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/withering/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science lessons on plants, leaves start withering when a plant lacks water or light. In stories, "she gave him a withering look" tells the reader she was very unimpressed and made him feel silly. Phrases: "a withering look", "withering criticism", "withering heat".

### Examples

- The flowers were withering because nobody had watered them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/withering/#x1)
- Our bean plant in the dark cupboard was withering. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/withering/#x2)
- The teacher gave him a withering look when he walked in late. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/withering/#x3)
- The grass was withering in the summer heat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/withering/#x4)
- Her withering comment made him go red. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/withering/#x5)
- The leaves are withering and turning brown in autumn. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/withering/#x6)

### Note

"Wither" is a regular verb (withered, withering). Do not confuse with "whether" (if) or "weather" (rain and sun). A withering look does not hurt the body; it hurts feelings.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «withering» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/withering/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«withering» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/withering.html) on Mova free.