languish
Americanverb (used without object)
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to be or become weak or feeble; droop; fade.
Whether the plant thrives or languishes and dies is heavily dependent on the climate.
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to lose vigor and vitality.
Though she was once full of energy, her illness had caused her to languish.
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to undergo neglect or experience prolonged inactivity; suffer hardship and distress.
to languish in prison for ten years.
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to be subjected to delay or disregard; be ignored.
a petition that languished on the warden's desk for a year.
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to pine with desire or longing.
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to assume an expression of tender, sentimental melancholy.
noun
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Archaic. the act or state of being neglected, losing vigor, or becoming weak.
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Archaic. a tender, melancholy look or expression.
verb
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to lose or diminish in strength or energy
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(often foll by for) to be listless with desire; pine
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to suffer deprivation, hardship, or neglect
to languish in prison
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to put on a tender, nostalgic, or melancholic expression
Other Word Forms
- languisher noun
- languishing adjective
- languishingly adverb
- languishment noun
Etymology
Origin of languish
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Middle French languiss-, long stem of languir, from Latin languēre “to languish”; akin to laxus lax; -ish 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While Netflix and Paramount Skydance are prepared to pay a stiff price for Warner’s movie, TV and streaming business, Disney shares languish despite controlling some of the industry’s best assets.
From Barron's • Dec. 12, 2025
Prior to the earnings report, Jefferies analyst Brent Thill warned that Salesforce’s stock could continue to languish in the near term over AI concerns.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 3, 2025
The winning treats have disappeared, while runners-up still languish on their plates.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025
They now languish in eighth place, eight points behind Arsenal and four adrift of City, but with momentum stalled.
From BBC • Nov. 9, 2025
Not all inmates can be helped, but some can, and it’s foolish to let them languish.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
