shriv·el shrivels shrivelling shrivelled in AM, use shriveling, shriveled When something shrivels or when something shrivels it, it becomes dryer and smaller, often with lines in its surface, as a result of losing the water it contains. The plant shrivels and dies. dry weather that shrivelled this summer's crops. Shrivel up means the same as shrivel. The leaves started to shrivel up. + shrivelled shriv·elled It looked old and shrivelled. if something shrivels, or if it is shrivelled, it becomes smaller and its surface becomes covered in lines because it is very dry or old (Perhaps from a language)