taper

¹ American  

[tey-per] / ˈteɪ pər /

verb (used without object)

1. to become smaller or thinner toward one end.

2. to grow gradually lean.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make gradually smaller toward one end.

2. to reduce gradually.

noun

1. gradual diminution of width or thickness in an elongated object.

2. gradual decrease of force, capacity, etc.

3. anything having a tapering form, as a spire or obelisk.

4. a candle, especially a very slender one.

5. a long wick coated with wax, tallow, or the like, as for use in lighting candles or gas.

verb phrase

1. taper off

   1. to become gradually more slender toward one end.

   2. to cease by degrees; decrease; diminish.

      The storm is beginning to taper off now.

      I haven't stopped smoking entirely, but I'm tapering off to three cigarettes a day.

taper ² American  

[tey-per] / ˈteɪ pər /

noun

1. a person who records or edits magnetic tape, videotape, etc.

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taper British  

/ ˈteɪpə /

verb

1. to become or cause to become narrower towards one end

   the spire tapers to a point

2. (often foll by off) to become or cause to become smaller or less significant

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noun

1. a thin candle

2. a thin wooden or waxed strip for transferring a flame; spill

3. a narrowing

4. engineering (in conical parts) the amount of variation in the diameter per unit of length

5. any feeble source of light

Other Word Forms

• taperer noun
• tapering adjective
• taperingly adverb
• untapering adjective

Etymology

Origin of taper¹

First recorded before 900; from Middle English: “wax candle,” from Old English, variant of tapur, dissimilated variant of unattested papur paper

Origin of taper²

First recorded in 1980–85; tape + -er ¹

Example Sentences

But in several places, the waves swirled and tapered into pinecone-sized whirlpools.

From Literature

The destination weddings have tapered off since Covid, but the hotel is seeing a spate of destination proposals and destination vow renewals.

From The Wall Street Journal

The truth of this Dodgers season was recently found in a place where all sports truths are clipped and tapered and styled into reality.

From Los Angeles Times

If the attacks taper off, he predicts life will get back to normal, business will come back in full force and tourism will recover strongly.

From The Wall Street Journal

California’s wet winter continued Sunday, with the heaviest rain occurring into the evening, and more precipitation forecast for Monday before tapering off on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abate
• dwindle
• lessen
• recede
• subside