Advertisement
Advertisement
languish
[ lang-gwish ]
verb (used without object)
- to be or become weak or feeble; droop; fade:
Whether the plant thrives or languishes and dies is heavily dependent on the climate.
- to lose vigor and vitality:
Though she was once full of energy, her illness had caused her to languish.
- to undergo neglect or experience prolonged inactivity; suffer hardship and distress:
to languish in prison for ten years.
- to be subjected to delay or disregard; be ignored:
a petition that languished on the warden's desk for a year.
- to pine with desire or longing.
- to assume an expression of tender, sentimental melancholy.
noun
- Archaic. the act or state of being neglected, losing vigor, or becoming weak.
- Archaic. a tender, melancholy look or expression.
languish
/ ˈæŋɡɪʃ /
verb
- to lose or diminish in strength or energy
- often foll by for to be listless with desire; pine
- to suffer deprivation, hardship, or neglect
to languish in prison
- to put on a tender, nostalgic, or melancholic expression
Derived Forms
- ˈԲܾԲ, adverb
- ˈԲܾԳ, noun
- ˈԲܾԲ, adjective
Other Word Forms
- ·ܾ· noun
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of languish1
Example Sentences
The rules have put some undocumented families in a desperate situation, leaving children who crossed the border unaccompanied languishing for months in the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, the advocates say.
This scenario contemplates Hall of Famer Deion Sanders languishing in the green room as his son, Shedeur, Colorado’s former quarterback, is left waiting far longer than many people have predicted to hear his name called.
Discovery has attracted interest from activist shareholders as the company’s stock languishes.
Many in the community have argued that the Reclaimers jumped the line ahead of other needy families who have been languishing for years on affordable housing wait lists and losing lotteries for scarce rentals.
Such people often languish in a disjointed, multiagency system of care.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse