shrivel up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To become completely shriveled; to completely dry up and become wrinkled.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
"Look! - look! - look! she's shrivelling up! she's turning into a monkey!" and down he fell upon the ground, foaming and gnashing in a fit.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “shrivel up” mean?
To become completely shriveled; to completely dry up and become wrinkled.
Is “shrivel up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.