1 C1 idiomatic neutral
to suffer emotionally over a long period because you miss someone or cannot have what you want
"He pined away after she moved to another country."
inseparable
pine away
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
to become sad and weak because you miss someone or strongly desire something
In plain English
to feel sad for a long time because you want someone or something
What does "pine away" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to fade away like a pine tree drying out
Actually means
to feel sad for a long time because you want someone or something
Usage tip
Literary or expressive in tone. Often used for love, loss, or emotional longing.
Words that pair with "pine away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
for her for him after someone at home
How to conjugate "pine away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pine away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pines away
he/she/it
Past simple
pined away
yesterday
Past participle
pined away
have + pp
-ing form
pining away
continuous
Hear "pine away" in the wild
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