wane

American  

[weyn] / weɪn /

verb (used without object)

wanes, present (3rd person singular) waned, past participle, past waning present participle

1. to decrease in strength, intensity, etc..

   Daylight waned, and night came on.

   Her enthusiasm for the cause is waning.

   Synonyms:

   sink, fail, diminish

2. to decline in power, importance, prosperity, etc..

   Colonialism began to wane after World War II.

   Synonyms:

   sink, fail, diminish

3. to draw to a close; approach an end.

   Summer is waning.

4. (of the moon) to decrease periodically in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full moon.

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noun

1. a gradual decrease or decline in strength, intensity, power, etc.

   Synonyms:

   decay, failure, diminution

2. the drawing to a close of life, an era, a period, etc.

3. the waning of the moon.

4. a period of waning.

5. a defect in a plank or board characterized by bark or insufficient wood at a corner or along an edge, due to the curvature of the log.

idioms

1. on the wane, decreasing; diminishing.

   The popularity of that song is on the wane.

wane British  

/ weɪn /

verb

1. (of the moon) to show a gradually decreasing portion of illuminated surface, between full moon and new moon Compare wax 2

2. to decrease gradually in size, strength, power, etc

3. to draw to a close

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noun

1. a decrease, as in size, strength, power, etc

2. the period during which the moon wanes

3. the act or an instance of drawing to a close

4. a rounded surface or defective edge of a plank, where the bark was

5. in a state of decline

wane More Idioms  

1. see wax and wane.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• waney
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have waned
  perfect
• has waned
  perfect 3rd person singular
• has been waning
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is waning
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been waning
  perfect progressive
• are waning
  progressive
• am waning
  progressive 1st person singular
• waning
  participle
• wanes
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had waned
  perfect
• were waning
  progressive plural
• had been waning
  perfect progressive
• was waning
  progressive singular
• waned
  simple
• waned
  participle

Future

• will wane
  simple
• will have waned
  perfect
• will have been waning
  perfect progressive
• will be waning
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of wane

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb wanen, Old English wanian “to lessen”; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle High German wanen, Old Norse vana “to cause to wane, destroy”

Explanation

Things that wane simply grow smaller. "My initial enthusiasm for helping waned when I saw the massive pile of envelopes that needed sealing." Things that wax and wane, like the moon, grow larger and smaller. Wax is the opposite of wane. A fad, or a fashion, or even a disease, that is on its way out the door is "on the wane." If your influence over your little brother wanes, he’ll probably stop copying you. Anything that wanes, like the moon, influence, or a feeling, has started to go away.

Example Sentences

"What happens commercially with Super League is out my hands, but the amount of and intensity of games we get is a problem," said England coach Shaun Wane.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2025

"I love Shaun Wane - he is passionate about his country, and I can relate to that," said Litten.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2025

England coach Shaun Wane feels a lack of opportunities to play international games have held his side back.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2025

But the future of international rugby league – for Wane, for England and for the Ashes – is much less certain.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2025

The minister told Sir John Wane and my Lady this story, who heeded it not.

From Miscellanies Upon Various Subjects by Aubrey, John

Related Words

• abate
• atrophy
• decrease
• die down
• die out
• dim
• dwindle
• ebb
• fade
• peter out
• shrink
• slacken
• subside
• weaken
• wither