dwindle away
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: - To gradually decrease in size, amount, or strength until very little remains; to diminish or fade away over time.
Usage
This verb describes a process of slow, continuous reduction. It is often used to describe resources, quantities, groups, or intensities that are being consumed, used up, or fading. It implies a progression toward an end point of near or complete disappearance.
Examples
- After the initial investment, the company's funds began to dwindle away.
- The crowd's enthusiasm dwindled away as the speech went on for hours.
- Without a consistent water source, the lake slowly dwindled away to a muddy patch.
Advanced Usage
- "to dwindle away to nothing": To diminish completely.
- Over the decades, the ancient forest dwindled away to nothing, replaced by farmland.
Variants and Related Words
- Dwindle (verb): The core verb, meaning to gradually become smaller. (e.g., )
- Dwindle down (verb): A phrasal variant with the same meaning as "dwindle away." (e.g., )
Synonyms
- Diminish: To become or make less.
- Shrink: To become smaller in size.
- Decline: To decrease in strength or quality.
- Fade: To lose brightness, loudness, or strength gradually.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Dwindle down: To gradually reduce. Functionally identical to "dwindle away."
- Supplies of the medicine are dwindling down rapidly.
Verb
- become smaller or lose substance
- Her savings dwindled down