Basic Details
Word: Wither
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To become dry and weak; to shrivel or lose freshness.
Synonyms: Shrivel, fade, wilt
Antonyms: Flourish, thrive, grow
Idioms and Phrases
- Wither on the vine: To fail to develop or be successful. Example: "The project began strong, but it withered on the vine due to lack of interest."
- Let it wither: To allow something to die off or stop growing. Example: "If we do not take care of our friendships, they will let it wither away."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The leaves of the plant began to wither because it had not been watered for weeks.
Example 2: Without love and attention, relationships can wither over time.
Example 3: The flowers in the garden started to wither under the scorching sun.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the term "wither" comes from Old English "widerian," which means "to become weak or faint"? It has been used for centuries to describe plants losing their vitality.
Famous Quote
"The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long." - Lao Tzu. This quote relates to the idea that intense experiences can wither away quicker than those that grow steadily.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "wither" mean?
a) To grow larger
b) To become dry and weak
c) To brighten up
d) To jump high
Answer: b) To become dry and weak
2. Which of these is a synonym of "wither"?
a) Flourish
b) Shrivel
c) Grow
d) Expand
Answer: b) Shrivel
3. Which sentence uses "wither" correctly?
a) The flowers began to wither in the sun.
b) The child managed to wither the ball.
c) He decided to wither his homework for the weekend.
d) The cat withered on the roof.
Answer: a) The flowers began to wither in the sun.
4. Which idiom means to fail to develop?
a) Wither on the vine
b) A bird in the hand
c) The early bird catches the worm
d) The grass is always greener
Answer: a) Wither on the vine
5. What is the opposite of "wither"?
a) Shrivel
b) Wither away
c) Thrive
d) Fade
Answer: c) Thrive
