Definition
To gradually become smaller, fewer, or less in amount or strength over time.
Example
Our supplies dwindled after weeks on the road.
Show translation
Our supplies gradually ran low after weeks on the road.
Etymology
From late 16th-century English, likely derived from the Old English verb *dwinan* ("to waste away, pine"), related to Old Norse *dvína* ("to dwindle"). The *-le* suffix adds a frequentative sense — something happening repeatedly in small steps — reinforcing the idea of gradual, continuous decrease.
Cultural note
*Dwindle* is a versatile, high-frequency verb used across many registers — you'll hear it in news reports ("the population is dwindling"), everyday conversation ("my patience is dwindling"), and literature alike. It almost always carries a negative or regretful tone, implying that the decrease is unwelcome. Be careful not to confuse it with *diminish* (which can be neutral or even deliberate) — *dwindle* almost always suggests a slow, undesirable fading.