What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
twindle
Example
The company's profits began to twindle due to increased competition. [twindle: verb]
Example
Her hopes for success began to twindle as she faced more obstacles. [twindling: gerund or present participle]
dwindle
Example
The water supply dwindled during the drought. [dwindled: past tense]
Example
The population of the town has been dwindling for years. [dwindle: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dwindle is more commonly used than twindle in everyday language. Dwindle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while twindle is less common and may have a more poetic or archaic connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between twindle and dwindle?
Both twindle and dwindle are relatively formal words, suitable for use in academic or professional writing.