This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
ebb
[ eb ]
/ Éb /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
verb (used without object)
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.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I canāt figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of ebb
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
OTHER WORDS FROM ebb
unĀ·ebbed, adjectiveunĀ·ebbĀ·ing, adjectiveWords nearby ebb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ebb in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ebb
ebb
/ (Éb) /
verb (intr)
(of tide water) to flow back or recedeCompare flow (def. 9)
to fall away or decline
noun
- 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
Word Origin for ebb
Old English ebba; related to Old Norse efja river bend, Gothic ibuks moving backwards, Old High German ippihÅn to roll backwards, Middle Dutch ebbe ebb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with ebb
ebb
The American HeritageĀ® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright Ā© 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.