YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

atrophy

Verb

IPA /ˈætrəfi/

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Meaning in plain English

To gradually become weaker or less effective because something is not being used or developed often enough.

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Pronunciation

atrophy/ˈætrəfi/

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A skill is strong with regular use
It goes unused for a long time
The skill becomes weaker

Skills can atrophy when lack of practice gradually weakens them.

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Without regular conversation, the language skills I once enjoyed began to atrophy.
The report warns that practical skills can atrophy without hands-on training.

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Without regular conversation, the language skills I once enjoyed began to ________.

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atrophy — To gradually become weaker or less effective because something is not being used or developed often enough.

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To gradually become weaker or less effective because something is not being used or developed often enough.

Compare: Without regular conversation, the language skills I once enjoyed began to atrophy.

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Word origin

From Greek atrophia, meaning lack of food, through Latin and French.

Did you know?

Atrophy also has a medical use referring to wasting or weakening in part of the body.

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