ebb

[ eb ]

noun

1. the flowing back of the tide as the water returns to the sea ( flood, flow ).
2. a flowing backward or away; decline or decay:

   the ebb of a once great nation.

3. a point of decline:

   His fortunes were at a low ebb.

verb (used without object)

1. to flow back or away, as the water of a tide ( flow ).

   Synonyms: retire, recede, abate, subside

2. to decline or decay; fade away:

   His life is gradually ebbing.

   Synonyms: decrease, diminish, dwindle

ebb

/ ɛb /

verb

1. (of tide water) to flow back or recede Compare flow
2. to fall away or decline

noun

1. 1. the flowing back of the tide from high to low water or the period in which this takes place
   2. ( as modifier ) Compare flood

      the ebb tide

2. at a low ebb
   in a state or period of weakness, lack of vigour, or decline

Other Words From

• un·ebbed adjective
• un·ebbing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ebb¹

before 1000; (noun) Middle English eb ( be ), Old English ebba; cognate with Old Frisian ebba, Dutch eb ( be ), German Ebbe ebb, Old Norse efja place where water backs up; (v.) Middle English ebben, Old English ebbian, derivative of the noun; akin to off

Word History and Origins

Origin of ebb¹

Old English ebba; related to Old Norse efja river bend, Gothic ibuks moving backwards, Old High German ippihōn to roll backwards, Middle Dutch ebbe ebb

Idioms and Phrases

• at a low ebb

Example Sentences

Ebb and flow, checks and balances, the center would hold, et cetera.

From The Daily Beast

Analyzing the ebb and flow of the race, Howie said Weiland has positive momentum but Rounds is collapsing.

From The Daily Beast

Perhaps this accounts for the ebb and flow of her popularity.

From The Daily Beast

But Shrier noted that undergarment trends tend to “ebb and flow.”

From The Daily Beast

Diplomatic relations between the United States and Russia are at a disturbingly low ebb.

From The Daily Beast

Having passed all the dangers, the ebb-tide very soon carried us out of the river into Hanover Bay.

From Project Gutenberg

The ebb tide after noon was against us, and the wind being light, we were making no progress.

From Project Gutenberg

We cross over the bridges that span salty channels, oozy and redolent of ocean and sea-weed during the hours of ebb.

From Project Gutenberg

Russian opera was then at a low ebb, and he only went to hear his favourite work, A Life for the Tsar.

From Project Gutenberg

Every emotion, unless it be that of love, must have its ebb; and by nightfall the settlers were returning to their old caution.

From Project Gutenberg