好词典

dwindling

UK //ˈdwɪndlɪŋ//US //ˈdwɪndlɪŋ//

词源

源自中古英语'dwinen'(意为消失),与古英语'dwīnan'(枯萎)同源,可能与古诺尔斯语'dvína'(浪费 away)有关。

adjective

❶ 逐渐减少或缩小的,指数量、规模或重要性正在持续下降的状态。常用于描述资源、人口或机会等。

“The dwindling water supply forced the village to implement strict rationing.”

(逐渐减少的水资源供应迫使村庄实行严格的配给制度。)

“Her patience was dwindling as the meeting dragged on.”

(随着会议拖延,她的耐心正逐渐消失。)

同义词:decreasing, diminishing, shrinking

verb

❶ (现在分词形式)表示正在逐渐变小或减少的动作过程,强调持续性的变化。

“The river is dwindling to a trickle after months without rain.”

(数月无雨后,这条河正逐渐变成细流。)

“Public interest in the scandal is dwindling rapidly.”

(公众对这桩丑闻的兴趣正在迅速减退。)

同义词:declining, fading, waning

常见短语

dwindling resources — 指正在不断减少的自然资源或物资,常用于环保或经济语境中。

“The island nation faces challenges due to its dwindling freshwater resources.”

(这个岛国因淡水资源不断减少而面临挑战。)

dwindling chances — 表示机会或可能性正在变小,多用于描述时间紧迫或条件恶化的情境。

“With each failed attempt, their dwindling chances of success became more apparent.”

(随着每次尝试失败,他们成功的机会越来越渺茫。)