atrophy

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈæ.trə.fi/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form atrophy

Third-person singular atrophies

Past tense atrophied

Past participle atrophied

Present participle atrophying

1. (intransitive) If a part of your body atrophies, it gets smaller and weaker.
   • Antonym: strengthen
   • Synonyms: weaken and shrink

   Her calf muscles began to atrophy when she started using the wheelchair.

Noun

Singular atrophy

Plural atrophies

1. (uncountable) (pathology) Atrophy is the process of part of your body getting smaller and weaker.