atrophy meaning

UK US /ˈætrəfi/ 3 syllables

atrophy (noun): a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse.

atrophy has 3 meanings in this dictionary, as noun and verb.

atrophy as a noun

  1. a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse

    Synonyms: wasting, wasting away

    Type of: symptom

    Kinds: amyotrophia, tabes, kraurosis

  2. any weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use)

    Synonyms: withering

    Type of: weakening

atrophy as a verb

  1. undergo atrophy
    • Muscles that are not used will atrophy

    Type of: shrivel

How to pronounce atrophy

atrophy is pronounced /ˈætrəfi/ in American English. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Scrabble score: 15 (letter breakdown)

Word lists: words starting with AT · words ending in HY · 7-letter words

More about atrophy on Wikipedia.