ebb
a flowing backward or away; decline or decay: the ebb of a once great nation.
a point of decline: His fortunes were at a low ebb.
to flow back or away, as the water of a tide (opposed to flow).
to decline or decay; fade away: His life is gradually ebbing.
Origin of ebb
1Other words for ebb
Other words from ebb
- un·ebbed, adjective
- un·ebb·ing, adjective
Words Nearby ebb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ebb in a sentence
This flexibility allows Coupang to match its labor costs to the ebb and flow of business and keep things lean.
This company delivers packages faster than Amazon, but workers pay the price | Max S. Kim | June 9, 2021 | MIT Technology ReviewThe retailer selected the cloud-based platform to provide customers a personalized shopping experience, based on data reflecting their history with the company, and to respond quickly to the ebbs and flows of business.
An old-fashioned retailer’s modern marketing approach | Sponsored Content: Oracle Advertising and CX | May 25, 2021 | Search Engine LandPeople already enrolled in Lifeline can also get the ebb, but th ebb covers many more Americans.
The government wants to pay your Internet bill for a few months. Here’s what you need to do. | Geoffrey Fowler | May 12, 2021 | Washington PostI’ve also found a number of ISPs claiming their older plans aren’t eligible for the ebb.
The government wants to pay your Internet bill for a few months. Here’s what you need to do. | Geoffrey Fowler | May 12, 2021 | Washington PostLawmakers authorized the ebb in December as part of a $2 trillion coronavirus aid package.
The government wants to pay your Internet bill for a few months. Here’s what you need to do. | Geoffrey Fowler | May 12, 2021 | Washington Post
ebb and flow, checks and balances, the center would hold, et cetera.
A Veteran’s View: NYC Cold War Between Cops and City Hall | Matt Gallagher | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnalyzing the ebb and flow of the race, Howie said Weiland has positive momentum but Rounds is collapsing.
South Dakota's Bizarre Four-Way (Senate Election, That Is) | Ben Jacobs | October 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTPerhaps this accounts for the ebb and flow of her popularity.
The Fiction Writer Shirley Jackson Stars in Her Own Novel | Hugh Ryan | June 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut Shrier noted that undergarment trends tend to “ebb and flow.”
Kate Middleton’s “Bottomgate” Shows Why Women Still Need Slips | Keli Goff | May 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTDiplomatic relations between the United States and Russia are at a disturbingly low ebb.
Having passed all the dangers, the ebb-tide very soon carried us out of the river into Hanover Bay.
The ebb tide after noon was against us, and the wind being light, we were making no progress.
We cross over the bridges that span salty channels, oozy and redolent of ocean and sea-weed during the hours of ebb.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries | Charles G. HarperRussian opera was then at a low ebb, and he only went to hear his favourite work, A Life for the Tsar.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste TchaikovskyEvery emotion, unless it be that of love, must have its ebb; and by nightfall the settlers were returning to their old caution.
A Virginia Scout | Hugh Pendexter
British Dictionary definitions for ebb
/ (ɛb) /
the flowing back of the tide from high to low water or the period in which this takes place
(as modifier): the ebb tide Compare flood (def. 3)
at a low ebb in a state or period of weakness, lack of vigour, or decline
Origin of ebb
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with ebb
In addition to the idioms beginning with ebb
- ebb and flow
also see:
- at a low ebb
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse