What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wither
Example
The flowers in the vase began to wither after a few days. [wither: verb]
Example
The heat caused the leaves on the tree to wither and fall off. [wither: verb]
decay
Example
The old wooden fence was decaying and falling apart. [decay: verb]
Example
The fruit had begun to decay and emit a foul odor. [decay: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Decay is more commonly used than wither in everyday language. Decay is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while wither is less common and often used in more poetic or literary contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between wither and decay?
Both wither and decay are relatively formal words that may not be used in casual conversation. However, decay is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
