wilt

¹ American  

[wilt] / wɪlt /

verb (used without object)

1. to become limp and drooping, as a fading flower; wither.

2. to lose strength, vigor, assurance, etc..

   to wilt after a day's hard work.

   Synonyms:

   weaken, ebb, droop, wane

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verb (used with object)

1. to cause to wilt.

noun

1. the act of wilting, or the state of being wilted.

   a sudden wilt of interest in the discussion.

2. Plant Pathology.

   1. the drying out, drooping, and withering of the leaves of a plant due to inadequate water supply, excessive transpiration, or vascular disease.

   2. a disease so characterized, as fusarium wilt.

3. a virus disease of various caterpillars, characterized by the liquefaction of body tissues.

wilt ² American  

[wilt] / wɪlt /

verb

Archaic.

1. second person singular present indicative of will.

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wilt ¹ British  

/ wɪlt /

verb

1. to become or cause to become limp, flaccid, or drooping

   insufficient water makes plants wilt

2. to lose or cause to lose courage, strength, etc

3. (tr) to cook (a leafy vegetable) very briefly until it begins to collapse

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noun

1. the act of wilting or state of becoming wilted

2. any of various plant diseases characterized by permanent wilting, usually caused by fungal parasites attacking the roots

wilt ² British  

/ wɪlt /

verb

1. archaic a singular form of the present tense (indicative mood) of will 1

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Etymology

Origin of wilt

First recorded in 1685–95; dialectal variant of wilk “to wither,” itself variant of welk, Middle English welken, probably from Middle Dutch welken; compare German welk “withered”

Explanation

When things droop from heat, lack of water, or illness, they wilt. If you go on vacation for two weeks and forget to water your plants first, they will wilt. The vegetables in your garden will wilt if they're attacked by slugs or don't get enough moisture — and people can be said to wilt too, especially when they're limp and weak from exhaustion. A long walk on the hottest day of summer can make you wilt. Wilt was most likely first spelled welk, from the Middle Dutch word welken, "to wither or become soft."

Example Sentences

But one number shows just how badly the 2018 MVP tends to wilt in the biggest moments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

That high press caused Lyon to wilt in the north London sunshine; mistakes contributed to both Arsenal goals, while the visitors' all-star attack didn't force Daphne van Domselaar into a single save.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

The injury-ravaged Lakers were expected to wilt in the playoffs, but Luke Kennard delivered a blistering shooting show during a win over Houston.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

You’re not buying four different vegetables and watching half of them wilt.

From Salon • Feb. 18, 2026

Adam objected, “and art cumbered with crutches as well. And how wilt thou cross the river? The bridge is well guarded at both ends.”

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli

Related Words

• cave in
• diminish
• droop
• dwindle
• ebb
• fade
• faint
• melt
• shrivel
• succumb
• wane
• wither