shrivel
[ˈʃɹɪvəl]
A shrivel occurs when something dries up and gets smaller.
When things go wrong or don't get enough care, they can start to shrivel. This often happens with plants that are thirsty or don't have enough sunlight. Imagine a beautiful flower that once bloomed beautifully but now its petals are dry and wrinkled because it hasn't had enough water - that's what we mean by shriveling.
How common is "shrivel"?
Word shrivel is considered rare in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.
Definitions
verb
To collapse inward; to crumble.
Example: The plant shrivelled from lack of water.
Real examples of "shriveled" in context
