wilt

1 of 3

wəlt,

ˈwilt 

archaic present tense second-person singular of will

wilt

2 of 3

verb

ˈwilt 

wilted; wilting; wilts

intransitive verb

1

a

: to lose turgor from lack of water

the plants wilted in the heat

b

: to become limp

2

: to grow weak or faint : languish

transitive verb

: to cause to wilt

wilt

3 of 3

noun

ˈwilt 

1

: an act or instance of wilting : the state of being wilted

2

a

: a disorder (such as a fungus disease) of plants marked by loss of turgidity in soft tissues with subsequent drooping and often shriveling

called also wilt disease

b

: polyhedrosis of caterpillars

Synonyms

Verb

• droop
• flag
• hang
• loll
• sag
• swag

Examples of wilt in a Sentence

Verb

The hot weather wilted the plants.

The crowd wilted in the heat.

He wilted under the pressure.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The best time to repot a Christmas cactus is in spring when blooming has ended and its flowers have wilted. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024

The cabbage wilts a tiny bit under the acidic nature of the dressing, but retains some of its crunch. —Bon Appétit, 20 Nov. 2024

Noun

Add the spinach, and cook for 1 minute, just until the leaves just start to wilt. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024

Then, just before serving, add spinach to the pot, stir to wilt, and scoop up some on your dinner plate. —Kia Damon, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of earlier welk, from Middle English welken, probably from Middle Dutch; akin to Old High German erwelkēn to wilt

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1691, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wilt

• oak wilt
• verticillium wilt

Kids Definition

wilt

1 of 3

wəlt 

(ˈ)wilt

archaic present 2nd singular of will

wilt

2 of 3 verb

ˈwilt 

1

: to lose or cause to lose freshness and become limp : droop

wilting roses

2

: to grow weak or faint

was wilting after hours of dancing

wilt

3 of 3 noun

ˈwilt 

: a plant disease (as one caused by a fungus) marked by wilting of the soft parts of the plant