atrophy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "atrophy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the condition of something decreasing in size or wasting away due to lack of use or nourishment. For example: "After the factory shut down, the surrounding town began to atrophy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The numbers of people – men, women and children – desperate to move north has risen drastically over the past 10 years, as war carves its way through countries such as Syria, Iraq, Central African Republic and South Sudan, and economic atrophy grips the sclerotic Mediterranean rim and troubled states further south such as Eritrea.

The Guardian

The whips' power of patronage will atrophy along with much else.

The Guardian

There are many reasons why Labour is in so much trouble in Scotland: taking its core voters for granted, allowing its organisation to atrophy, too many lacklustre or accident-prone leaders, and being outclassed by the Nationalists.

The Guardian - Opinion

After Freak Show, American Horror could probably do with shaking up the formula slightly to prevent atrophy, though with Lange reportedly hanging up her scowl at the end of the current run its hand may be forced.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And in a recent poll by MORI for the Constitution Unit at University College London, 68% of respondents thought it was sometimes all right for the Lords to vote against government bills.The danger for the House of Lords, Walter Bagehot noted in the 19th century, lies "not in assassination, but atrophy; not abolition, but decline".

The Economist

At the time, Sir Nicholas Serota, its director, argued that declining public funds would cause the museum's collection to atrophy unless artists and collectors agreed to give works to a grateful nation.

The Economist

Lady Greenfield is aware that misgivings such as hers are as old as writing itself (famously condemned by Plato, who worried that it would atrophy memory).

The Economist

Non-competes prevent people from selling their labour for long periods during which skills atrophy and contacts fade away.How can the competing claims of employers and employees be reconciled?

The Economist

Worryingly, roughly half of the joblessness is now long-term (over a year), which is more difficult to escape as individuals lose confidence, their skills atrophy and they find themselves shunned by prospective employers.

The Economist

But as the skills and habits of the unemployed atrophy, they may become unemployable, and America could end up with structural unemployment similar to Europe's in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Economist

Besides offering a means of exercising the muscles, and so preventing atrophy, the hope is that this "functional electrical stimulation" might also help restore mobility to patients.Reanimate thisBut external stimulation is less than ideal, says Dustin Tyler, a biomedical engineer at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "atrophy" to describe the wasting away of tissues, organs, or other body parts due to disease, disuse, or malnutrition. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is undergoing "atrophy".

Common error

Avoid using "atrophy" solely for emotional or abstract decline when a more precise term like "decline" or "deterioration" would better convey the intended meaning. "Atrophy" typically refers to a physical wasting process.

Linguistic Context

The word "atrophy" functions primarily as a noun or a verb. As a noun, it denotes the process of wasting away or decline. As a verb, it means to waste away. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "atrophy" describes the wasting away or decline of a tissue, organ, or skill. As Ludwig AI indicates, this term is grammatically sound and applicable in a variety of contexts, predominantly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific domains. While "atrophy" can refer to both physical and abstract decline, it is more commonly used to describe physical wasting, as supported by numerous examples. When writing, ensure that the context appropriately aligns with this specific meaning to avoid ambiguity. Related terms such as "waste away" or "degenerate" can provide alternative options depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waste away

Emphasizes a gradual loss of strength or health, often due to neglect or disease.

degenerate

Suggests a decline in quality or moral character, implying a deterioration from a higher state.

deteriorate

Focuses on a progressive worsening of condition or quality, often in a physical or structural sense.

wither

Implies a loss of vitality or freshness, typically associated with plants or living organisms.

decline

Indicates a gradual decrease in quantity, quality, or importance.

shrink

Suggests a reduction in size or amount, often due to external forces or internal decay.

diminish

Implies a gradual reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

weaken

Focuses on the loss of strength or power, making something less effective or resilient.

decay

Suggests a gradual decomposition or rotting, often associated with organic matter.

ebb

Implies a receding or weakening, often used in the context of tides or abstract concepts like enthusiasm.

FAQs

How is "atrophy" used in medical contexts?

In medicine, "atrophy" describes the wasting away or decrease in size of a body part, tissue, or organ. It can result from various factors, including disease, malnutrition, or lack of use. For instance, muscle "wasting" can occur due to prolonged immobilization.

What are some common causes of muscle "atrophy"?

Common causes of muscle "atrophy" include disuse (e.g., from being in a cast), malnutrition, aging, and certain diseases that affect the nerves or muscles. Neurological conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can also cause significant muscle "degeneration".

Can "atrophy" be reversed?

In some cases, "atrophy" can be reversed, particularly when it's due to disuse. Physical therapy and targeted exercises can help rebuild muscle mass and function. However, if "atrophy" is caused by a severe underlying condition, reversing it may be more challenging or impossible.

What's the difference between "atrophy" and "hypertrophy"?

"Atrophy" refers to the wasting away or decrease in size of a tissue or organ, while "hypertrophy" refers to the increase in size of a tissue or organ due to cell enlargement. They are essentially opposite processes.