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

Other Word Forms

• unebbed adjective
• unebbing 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

As a target, disability had ebbed as disability rolls declined, along with unemployment, during the economic recovery of the last few years.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

NATO's increased openness about its nuclear activities comes as Moscow has adjusted its own nuclear rhetoric in line with the ebbs and flows of the war in Ukraine.

Read more on Barron's

The investor who foresaw the collapse of Enron, he has one of the most sensitive noses for financial chicanery — and the ebbs and flows of investor credulence — in the business.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Equity futures indicated a positive start for markets on Monday as concerns on the trade front appeared to be ebbing.

Read more on MarketWatch

The former editor of Kerrang! magazine, Mr Alexander said when Osbourne was at his lowest ebb, music had a restorative power, adding: "You literally see it in front of your very eyes."

Read more on BBC

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