wilt

/wɪlt/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɪlt] /wɪlt/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈɪlt] /wəlt,  ˈwilt How to pronounce wilt (audio)/ (ame, mw)

wilt — verb

  • wiltpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • wiltshe / she / it
  • wiltedpast simple
  • wilting-ing form

1. When a plant wilts, or heat or lack of water wilts it, its leaves lose firmness

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

When a plant wilts, or heat or lack of water wilts it, its leaves lose firmness and hang down.

例句

By noon, the balcony mint had wilted in the metal box.

intransitive: plant loses firmness from heat

Three dry days will wilt the lettuce before the market opens.

同義詞
  • droop

    focuses on hanging downward, without saying why

  • sag

    often used for a heavy or loose downward bend

  • wither

    suggests a stronger, more permanent drying or decline

反義詞
  • revive

    used when water or shade brings the plant back

  • perk up

    informal phrase for looking fresh again

文法句型

wilt from heat or lack of water

wilt a plant with heat

用法筆記

Usually used for flowers, herbs, and other plants after heat or missed watering. For people losing energy or confidence, use sense 2.

常見錯誤

The tomatoes withered after one hot afternoon.
The tomatoes wilted after one hot afternoon.
💡'wilt' is the usual word for plants going limp quickly from heat or thirst; 'wither' sounds drier and more lasting.

2. If a person or group wilts, they suddenly seem tired, weak, or less sure of them

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

If a person or group wilts, they suddenly seem tired, weak, or less sure of themselves.

例句

Christopher wilted when the panel rejected his final design.

figurative: lose confidence after a setback

The home side wilted after the captain limped off injured.

同義詞
  • flag

    emphasizes energy fading during effort

  • droop

    often describes posture or facial expression more than confidence

  • crumple

    stronger and more sudden, often after emotional pressure

反義詞
  • rally

    suggests recovering spirit or strength

  • perk up

    informal phrase for becoming lively again

文法句型

wilt under pressure

wilt after bad news

用法筆記

Often follows pressure, criticism, disappointment, or physical heat. It suggests a quick visible drop in spirit or energy rather than a long illness.

常見錯誤

I wilted and fell on the floor.
I fainted and fell on the floor.
💡'wilt' usually means losing energy or confidence, not suddenly losing consciousness.

3. To wilt leafy vegetables is to heat them briefly until they soften and sink down

3.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

To wilt leafy vegetables is to heat them briefly until they soften and sink down a little.

例句

Diya wilted the spinach in broth before adding the noodles.

cooking: brief heat softens leafy vegetables

The cook wilted the cabbage leaves for the dumpling filling.

同義詞
  • soften

    general word that does not specifically suggest leafy vegetables

  • blanch

    involves a quick dip in boiling liquid, often followed by cooling

反義詞
  • crisp

    describes making vegetables stay or become firm

文法句型

wilt spinach in broth

greens wilt in hot soup

用法筆記

Used mainly for spinach, cabbage, and other leafy greens. It suggests only a short cooking time, not boiling until very soft.

常見錯誤

Boil the spinach for ten minutes until it wilts.
Wilt the spinach for a few seconds until it softens.
💡wilting in cooking is quick and light, not long boiling.

wilt — noun