Pronunciation: /ˈætrəfi/

Definitions of atrophy

noun a wasting away or decrease in size of a body organ, tissue, or part due to lack of nourishment or use

Example Sentences

A1 Lack of use can lead to muscle atrophy.

A2 The doctor explained that atrophy of the brain can occur with age.

B1 Physical therapy can help prevent muscle atrophy in patients recovering from injuries.

B2 The scientist conducted research on the atrophy of plant cells under different conditions.

C1 The atrophy of the economy was evident after years of mismanagement.

C2 The artist's creative atrophy was a result of burnout and lack of inspiration.

verb to waste away or decrease in size due to lack of nourishment or use

Example Sentences

A1 Lack of use can cause muscles to atrophy.

A2 If you don't exercise regularly, your muscles may start to atrophy.

B1 Prolonged bed rest can lead to muscle atrophy.

B2 Athletes need to be careful not to overtrain, as it can cause muscle atrophy.

C1 The astronaut's muscles atrophied after spending months in space.

C2 Years of inactivity caused his leg muscles to atrophy to the point where he could barely walk.

Examples of atrophy in a Sentence

formal Muscle atrophy is a common condition in older adults.

informal If you don't use it, you lose it - that's why atrophy happens.

slang Skipping leg day at the gym can lead to muscle atrophy.

figurative Neglecting relationships can cause emotional atrophy over time.

Grammatical Forms of atrophy

past tense

atrophied

plural

atrophies

comparative

more atrophic

superlative

most atrophic

present tense

atrophies

future tense

will atrophy

perfect tense

has atrophied

continuous tense

is atrophying

singular

atrophy

positive degree

atrophic

infinitive

atrophy

gerund

atrophying

participle

atrophied

Origin and Evolution of atrophy

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Ancient Greek
Story behind the word: The word 'atrophy' originates from the Ancient Greek word 'atrophos', meaning 'lacking nourishment'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'atrophy' has come to be used in a medical context to describe the wasting away or decrease in size of a body part or tissue due to lack of nourishment or use.