verb

verwelken

wilt · wither

Langsam trocken und schlapp werden, wie bei Blumen oder Blättern, wenn sie nicht genug Wasser bekommen.

Definition & meaning

The word "verwelken" primarily refers to the process of plants or flowers losing their freshness, moisture, and vitality. When a plant withers, its leaves or petals become limp, dry, and often change color before eventually dying.

Beyond its literal botanical sense, "verwelken" can be used figuratively to describe the loss of human beauty, youth, or vigor. It suggests a natural, gradual decline or the fading of something that was once vibrant.

Grammar & Word origin

"verwelken" is an intransitive weak verb. In perfect tenses, it always takes the auxiliary verb "sein" (to be) because it denotes a change of state. For example: "Die Blumen sind verwelkt" (The flowers have withered).

The word is composed of two parts:

ver-: A common German prefix that often indicates a transition into a final state, a transformation, or a process of decay.
welken: Derived from the Middle High German "welken," which means to become limp or dry. It is related to the adjective "welk" (withered/flaccid).

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

verblühen : Specifically used for flowers when they finish their blooming period.
vertrocknen : To dry up completely due to lack of water.
eingehen : To perish or die (often used for domestic plants or animals).
dahinschwinden : To fade away or waste away (often used figuratively).

Antonyms

aufblühen : To blossom, flourish, or start to look very healthy and beautiful.
erblühen : To come into bloom.
gedeihen : To thrive, prosper, or grow well.
frisch bleiben [?](vocabuo://word/frisch bleiben): To stay fresh.