tapered
Americanadjective
-
becoming gradually thinner, narrower, or smaller toward one end.
The tapered table leg has long been a classic design.
The wine’s bouquet hit our nostrils the moment we opened the elegantly tapered bottle.
-
reduced gradually over time.
Once the allergic reaction had been alleviated, the patient was discharged with a tapered steroid dose and scheduled for outpatient follow-up.
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of tapered
First recorded in 1620–30; taper 1 ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; taper 1 ( def. ) + -ed 1 ( def. ) for the verb sense
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With each stride, I squirmed deeper into the Florsheims’ tapered toes in a vain effort to spare my chafing heels.
From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026
Even as oil prices’ assent tapered off Monday afternoon, gasoline prices at the retail pump remain elevated.
From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026
The destination weddings have tapered off since Covid, but the hotel is seeing a spate of destination proposals and destination vow renewals.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
The truth of this Dodgers season was recently found in a place where all sports truths are clipped and tapered and styled into reality.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026
This was exactly the opposite of most chairs, which are wide at the bottom and tapered at the top.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
