1 B1 neutral
Of a plant or living thing: to dry out, shrink, and die gradually.
"Without any rain for weeks, the flowers in the garden began to wither away."
inseparable
wither away
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
To gradually become weaker, smaller, or less important until almost nothing remains.
In plain English
To slowly dry up and die or get weaker, like a plant that isn't watered.
What does "wither away" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
Of a person: to become physically weaker and thinner, especially through illness or old age.
"He watched his grandfather wither away in the hospital over the course of the winter."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
Of an institution, idea, or feeling: to gradually lose strength and importance until it disappears.
"Their friendship withered away after they moved to different cities and stopped keeping in touch."
“
"The state will wither away."
— Friedrich Engels, summarising Marx's theory of the state in 'Anti-Dühring', 1878.
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To wither (dry and shrink like a dying plant) and move 'away' from its former state — highly transparent.
Actually means
To slowly dry up and die or get weaker, like a plant that isn't watered.
Usage tip
Used both literally (plants, bodies) and figuratively (institutions, hopes, relationships). The figurative use is very common in political and philosophical writing. Often carries a sad or mournful tone. Associated with Marxist theory ('the state will wither away').
Words that pair with "wither away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
plants hopes dreams state economy muscles relationships
How to conjugate "wither away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
wither away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
withers away
he/she/it
Past simple
withered away
yesterday
Past participle
withered away
have + pp
-ing form
withering away
continuous
Hear "wither away" in the wild
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Keep exploring
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