ebb

American  

[eb] / ɛb /

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.

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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 British  

/ ɛb /

verb

1. (of tide water) to flow back or recede Compare flow

2. to fall away or decline

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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. in a state or period of weakness, lack of vigour, or decline

ebb Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing ebb

• at a low ebb

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Other Word Forms

• unebbed adjective
• unebbing adjective

Etymology

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

Explanation

When something ebbs, it is declining, falling, or flowing away. The best time to look for sea creatures in tidal pools is when the tide is on the ebb — meaning it has receded from the shore. Ebb is often used in the phrase, "ebb and flow," referring to the cyclical changing of the tides from low to high and back to low again. This sense of cyclical change can also be applied to other things. If you want to make money investing, you have to weather the ebb and flow of the stock market.

Example Sentences

Deflation is starting to ebb, he points out.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

Wars ebb and flow, and right now Ukraine's facing a harsh tide.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Finally, Mr. Muhly’s conclusion, a gorgeous early-music-infused quartet for Death, offers consolation in an ebb and flow that feels like breathing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Immigration was at a low ebb, and nearly all Americans were born here.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

I felt many of my established beliefs and loyalties begin to ebb away.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• abate
• degenerate
• deteriorate
• die down
• die out
• diminish
• dwindle
• ease off
• fall away
• fall back
• lessen
• melt
• peter out
• recede
• shrink
• slacken
• wane
• weaken