What does wilt mean?
Wilt is most commonly a verb describing the loss of freshness and firmness in plants, especially when heat or insufficient water causes leaves, flowers, or vegetables to droop. It can also describe a person becoming weak or exhausted, or, figuratively, a group or place losing its energy and vitality. The related noun refers to a plant's drooping condition and, in some contexts, to a disease that produces wilting. The word is straightforward and vivid in literal descriptions, while its figurative uses often suggest a gradual or complete collapse of strength, confidence, or enthusiasm. “Wilt” appears in familiar phrases such as wilted leaves and the observation that something wilts in the heat. Although its basic meaning is associated with plants, the verb's broader emotional and physical connotations make it useful for describing anything that has lost vitality.
To become limp, droopy, or depleted of freshness, especially through heat, dryness, or lack of water; also, to lose strength or enthusiasm.
"The young plants wilted in the afternoon heat."
Common for plants and also used figuratively for people, crowds, or places losing vitality.
A condition in which a plant droops or loses turgidity, especially because of dryness or disease.
"The seedlings showed signs of wilt."
This noun is mainly descriptive or botanical and is less common in everyday speech than the verb.
The plural is possible but uncommon; the condition is usually expressed with the singular mass noun “wilt.”
"The wilts affected several rows of vegetables."
Wilt can describe everything from a thirsty sunflower to a person whose energy has suddenly collapsed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wilt come from?
The word was established in English by the 16th century in the sense of losing strength or freshness. Its precise deeper origin is uncertain, so it is best not connected with a particular related word without qualification. Modern senses developed from the older agricultural meaning of plants drooping or decaying.
Related word forms
How wilt is actually used
In literal use, wilt is common for plants and can suggest a rapid loss of freshness or firmness. Its figurative use, as in “the crowd wilted,” is somewhat literary and conveys diminished energy or enthusiasm. The noun is mainly used in botanical or descriptive contexts.
Easily confused with wilt
“Wilt” means to droop, wither, or lose vitality, whereas “will” is the auxiliary verb or noun expressing intention, volition, or a testament.