tapered
Americanadjective
-
becoming gradually thinner, narrower, or smaller toward one end.
The tapered table leg has long been a classic design.
The wine’s bouquet hit our nostrils the moment we opened the elegantly tapered bottle.
-
reduced gradually over time.
Once the allergic reaction had been alleviated, the patient was discharged with a tapered steroid dose and scheduled for outpatient follow-up.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tapered
First recorded in 1620–30; taper 1 ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; taper 1 ( def. ) + -ed 1 ( def. ) for the verb sense
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The real test will come in May, by which point the flow of tax refunds will have tapered off significantly, while high gas prices probably will remain elevated,” Tombs writes.
From Barron's • May 13, 2026
Bambaataa’s recording career tapered off in the aughts, but he continued working as a DJ until his death.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
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 • Mar. 24, 2026
For now, the geopolitical risk premium, which had been supporting oil prices, appears to have tapered off.
From Barron's • Jan. 15, 2026
In accordance with the latest fashion, my waist tapered to a narrow point, and my train trailed two feet behind me.
From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
