dwindling

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Word: Dwindling

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: The word "dwindling" describes something that is gradually getting smaller or less in amount, size, or strength until very little remains.

Usage Instructions:

• "Dwindling" is often used to talk about numbers, resources, or groups of people that are becoming smaller over time.
• It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Example Sentences:

1. Adjective: "The dwindling supplies of food made everyone worried about the winter."
2. Noun (as a concept): "There is no greater sadness than the dwindling away of a family."

Advanced Usage:

• In literature or discussions, "dwindling" can be used metaphorically to describe feelings, hopes, or relationships that are fading away or becoming weaker.
• For example: "Her dwindling confidence made it hard for her to speak in front of the crowd."

Word Variants:

• Dwindle (verb): To decrease gradually.
  • Example: "The population of the town began to dwindle after the factory closed."
• Dwindler (noun): Someone or something that dwindles.
  • Example: "The dwindler of the forest creatures is a cause for concern."

Different Meanings:

• While "dwindling" primarily refers to a decrease, it can also imply a sense of loss or sadness associated with that decrease, especially in emotional contexts.

Synonyms:

• Decreasing
• Diminishing
• Shrinking
• Lessening
• Ebbing

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "On the dwindling side": This idiom can be used to describe something that is declining or not as strong as it used to be.

  • Example: "Interest in the old television show is on the dwindling side."

• "Dwindle down": A phrasal verb meaning to decrease gradually until little remains.

  • Example: "As the hours passed, the crowd began to dwindle down."

Summary:

"Dwindling" is a useful word to describe anything that is gradually decreasing.

Academic

Adjective

1. gradually decreasing until little remains

Noun

1. a becoming gradually less
   • there is no greater sadness that the dwindling away of a family

Synonyms

• tapering
• tapering off
• dwindling away