好词典

dwindle

UK //ˈdwɪn.dəl//US //ˈdwɪn.dəl//

词源

源自中古英语 'dwinen'(意为减少),可能与古英语 'dwīnan'(意为枯萎)有关,最终源于原始日耳曼语。

verb

❶ 指数量、大小或重要性逐渐减少或变小,常用于描述资源、人口或兴趣等随时间推移而减弱的过程。

“The river's water supply has dwindled during the drought.”

(干旱期间,这条河的水源供应逐渐减少。)

“Her savings dwindled after she lost her job.”

(失业后,她的储蓄逐渐减少。)

同义词:diminish, decline, shrink

常见短语

dwindle away — 指某物逐渐消失或减少到几乎不存在,常用于描述资源或机会的耗尽。

“Their hopes of winning the championship dwindled away after the star player got injured.”

(在明星球员受伤后,他们赢得冠军的希望逐渐消失了。)