atrophy

1 of 2

noun

at·​ro·​phy ˈa-trə-fē 

plural atrophies

1

: decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue

atrophy of muscles

also : arrested development or loss of a part or organ incidental to the normal development or life of an animal or plant

2

: a wasting away or progressive decline

It was not a solitude of atrophy, of negation, but of perpetual flowering.

—Willa Cather

an atrophy of imagination

atrophic

(ˌ)ā-ˈtrō-fik 

adjective

atrophy

2 of 2

verb

at·​ro·​phy ˈa-trə-fē  -ˌfī 

atrophied; atrophying; atrophies

transitive + intransitive

: to waste away (as from disease or disuse) : to undergo atrophy

Extended periods of weightlessness resulted in body fluids pooling in the upper torso, causing changes in how the heart pumped blood. In addition, muscles began to atrophy, bones lost calcium and mass …

—Warren E. Leary

Because of an incomplete spine, only one nerve serviced her legs, causing them to atrophy.

—Ada Brownell

Communion with nature strengthens both body and soul; isolation from nature causes both to atrophy.

—Mark Purcell

also : to cause (something) to waste away or undergo atrophy

When reform becomes too theological, it atrophies some forces even while it galvanizes others.

—John C. Culver

see also atrophied

Did you know?

What Can atrophy?

From its literal Greek roots, atrophy would mean basically "lack of nourishment". Although the English word doesn't usually imply any lack of food, it always refers to a wasting away. Those who have been bedridden for a period of time will notice that their muscles have atrophied. And muscular atrophy is a frequent result of such diseases as cancer and AIDS. We also use atrophy in a much more general sense. After being out of work a few years, you may find your work skills have atrophied; someone who's been living an isolated life may discover the same thing about his or her social skills; and a democracy can atrophy when its citizens cease to pay attention to how they're being governed.

Examples of atrophy in a Sentence

Noun

The doctor is concerned about possible atrophy of the shoulder muscles.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, CMT causes a range of sensory and motor symptoms, including numbness, tingling, pain, muscle weakness and atrophy — deterioration in cells, tissues, and organs. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025

At 9 months old, Swann was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive, terminal neuromuscular condition, often described as the childhood version of ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. —Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025

Verb

The story has gained ascendancy as a vehicle for understanding the world while the ability to interpret narrative has atrophied. —Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025

At birth, Holc weighed 6 pounds, 6 3/4 ounces and suffered from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a fatal heart defect in which the heart’s left chamber is missing or atrophied. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Late Latin atrophia, from Greek, from atrophos ill fed, from a- + trephein to nourish

First Known Use

Noun

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1863, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

atrophy

1 of 2 noun

at·​ro·​phy

ˈa-trə-fē

plural atrophies

: decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue

atrophy

2 of 2 verb

atrophied; atrophying

: to undergo atrophy

Medical Definition

atrophy

1 of 2 noun

at·​ro·​phy ˈa-trə-fē 

plural atrophies

: decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue

also : arrested development or loss of a part or organ incidental to the normal development or life of an animal or plant

atrophy

2 of 2 verb

ˈa-trə-fē  -ˌfī 

atrophied; atrophying

intransitive verb

: to undergo atrophy

the inactive muscles atrophied

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo atrophy

disuse atrophied the arm