Definition

Describing a plant that has become pale or weak due to lack of sunlight.

Example

The etiolated seedlings struggled to grow in the dark room.

Conversation

Have you seen my plants lately?

Yeah, they look a bit etiolated without enough sunlight.

I guess I need to move them closer to the window then.

Definitely! They'll thrive with more light.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To cause a plant to grow pale and weak by preventing it from receiving enough light.

Example

The seedlings were etiolated due to lack of sunlight in the greenhouse.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I noticed that my plants have etiolated quite a bit since I moved them indoors.

Oh no, that usually means they aren't getting enough light!

Yeah, I guess I need to find a brighter spot for them.

Root Explanation

Etiolated → It is formed from "a-" (meaning without) and "tiol" (from Latin *tiolare*, meaning to make weak or to weaken) and the suffix "-ated" (indicating a state or condition). The word describes a state of being weakened or pale due to lack of light, particularly in plants.

Memory Tip

Think of being 'without' ('a-') strength or color due to lack of light, which helps you remember that 'etiolated' means weakened or pale.

Visually Confused Words