Languishing

B2 16+

Pronunciation: /ˈlæŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/

Definitions of languishing

verb to be or remain in a state of weakness or inactivity

Example Sentences

A1 The plant was languishing in the corner of the room.

A2 She noticed the cat languishing in the sun, enjoying the warmth.

B1 The old building had been languishing for years before it was renovated.

B2 The project has been languishing due to a lack of funding.

C1 The artist's career was languishing until she had a breakthrough with her latest exhibition.

C2 The once popular restaurant is now languishing in obscurity, overshadowed by newer establishments.

adjective weak or lacking vitality

Example Sentences

A1 The old book was languishing on the dusty shelf.

A2 The neglected garden was languishing in the summer heat.

B1 The economy is languishing due to lack of investment.

B2 The artist's career was languishing until he received a major award.

C1 The once popular restaurant is now languishing in obscurity.

C2 The historic building is languishing in disrepair, waiting for restoration.

adverb in a weak or lacking vitality manner

Example Sentences

A1 The flowers were languishing in the heat.

A2 The cat was languishing on the windowsill.

B1 The old house was languishing in disrepair.

B2 The patient was languishing in the hospital bed.

C1 The novel's protagonist was languishing in despair.

C2 The artist's career was languishing despite early success.

Examples of languishing in a Sentence

formal The old building stood languishing in disrepair, waiting for someone to restore it.

informal My plants have been languishing in the sun without enough water.

slang I feel like I've been languishing in this dead-end job for too long.

figurative Her dreams of becoming a famous singer were languishing in obscurity until she was discovered.

Grammatical Forms of languishing

past tense

languished

plural

languishing

comparative

more languishing

superlative

most languishing

present tense

languishes

future tense

will languish

perfect tense

has languished

continuous tense

is languishing

singular

languishing

positive degree

languishing

infinitive

to languish

gerund

languishing

participle

languished

Origin and Evolution of languishing

First Known Use: 1300 year
Language of Origin: Old French
Story behind the word: The word 'languishing' originated from the Old French word 'languiss-ant' which is derived from the Latin word 'languere' meaning 'to be weak or faint.'
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'languishing' has evolved to not only refer to physical weakness or faintness but also to describe a state of emotional or mental decline, often associated with sadness or lack of vitality.