Pronunciations (2)
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/ˈdwɪn.dəl/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
- US
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ˈdwɪn.dəl
Verb
To decrease, shrink, diminish, reduce in size or intensity.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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Their supplies began to dwindle after a week.
Interest in the project slowly dwindled.
More examples (5)
dwindle away
dwindle to nothing
dwindle steadily
1802, T. Paynell (translator), Erasmus, The Complaint of Peace [E]very thing that was improving gradually degenerates and dwindles away to nothing, […]
In 1986, with the cod catch dwindling, Canada closed its ports to European fishing boats.
To fall away in quality; degenerate, sink.
Usage- Figurative
- Intransitive
- Examples
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VVearie Seu'nights, nine times nine, / Shall he dvvindle, peake, and pine: […]
Religious Societies, though begun with excellent Intention, and by Perſons of true Piety, have dwindled into factious Clubs; […]
More examples (3)
The flattery of his friends began to dwindle into simple approbation.
The larger the empire, the more dwindles the mind of the citizen.
[I]nfected tulips are weakened by the viruses that cause the very patterns and swirls that fascinated horticulturists and investors in the first place. Such bulbs tend to dwindle away instead of fattening up and producing offsets.
To lessen; to bring low.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Our drooping days are dwindled down to nought.
To break up or disperse.
- Examples
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there were only five hundred foot and three hundred horse left with him, for the blocking of Plymouth; the rest were dwindled away
Verb
become smaller or lose substance
- Synonyms
- Examples
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Her savings dwindled down