wane

American  

[weyn] / weɪn /

verb (used without object)

waned, waning

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

• waney
  adjective

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

McDermott, currently working as an assistant coach at NRL club Gold Coast Titans, will take the England role on a part-time basis, in contrast to his full-time predecessor Wane.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

After that series defeat, Wane said there was "no question" that he was the right person to lead his nation into the 2026 World Cup.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

"I think he's certainly instilled a sense of pride. I think the players have come out and said quite openly that they've enjoyed the camp," added Wood when asked about the job Wane has done.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025

"If we want to nail our international calendar, we need to play teams like Australia more on a level playing field," Wane told a media conference on Thursday.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2025

Wane the joys of Love, Art, Faction, Parties rise and Parties fall, The world's sure centre of attraction Is a Ball!

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, September 13, 1890 by Various

Related Words

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