shrivelled
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈʃrɪv.əld/
KK: /ˈʃrɪvld/
adjective
Definition
Having become smaller and wrinkled, often due to loss of moisture or drying out.
Example
The leaves on the plant were shrivelled and brown from lack of water.
Conversation
Did you see the fruit in the fridge?
Yeah, some of it looks a bit shrivelled and old.
I guess I should throw away the shrivelled ones then.
Definitely! We need to keep the fresh ones.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
withered
dried
shrunken
Antonyms
plump
expanded
smooth
verb
Definition
To become smaller and wrinkled, often due to loss of moisture or heat.
Example
The leaves shrivelled in the hot sun, losing their vibrant color.
Tense Forms
Past: shrivelled
Past Participle: shrivelled
Conversation
Did you see those flowers in the garden yesterday?
Yeah, they looked so vibrant!
They really shrivelled up by this morning, though.
Root Explanation
Shrivelled → It originates from the Old English 'scriflan', meaning to shrivel or wither. The word describes something that has become wrinkled or shrunken, often due to lack of moisture or vitality.
Memory Tip
Imagine something that has 'withered' or 'dried up' — that's what shrivelled means, as it refers to something that has lost its fullness and become wrinkled.
Visually Confused Words
unshrivelled
unshriveled
shelled