English vocabulary · B2
Wilt
/wɪlt/ · v.
Wilt means to become weak and bend down, often from heat or no water. Plants lose their firm shape, and people can also lose energy.
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Example sentences
- Heat made the roses wilt.
- Her courage wilted after one hard question.
Word origin and roots
from Middle English
- welken — lose strength (from Middle English)
Synonyms and nuances
- DROOP — hang or bend down (Hang Down)
- WITHER — become dry and weak (Dry And Shrink)
- FADE — become less bright (Lose Color)
Similar words
- droop
- wither
- fade
Lesson notes
Wilt means to become weak and bend down, often from heat or no water. Plants lose their firm shape, and people can also lose energy.
Related: droop, wither, fade. Use Wilt when heat or stress causes weakness.
Heat made the roses wilt. Her courage wilted after one hard question.
From Middle English. Welken- means lose strength. Lose strength: a flower bends to earth and starts to wilt.