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
Derived 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.
With each stride, I squirmed deeper into the Florsheims’ tapered toes in a vain effort to spare my chafing heels.
From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026
New apartment construction has tapered off in Los Angeles in recent years, even though there is high demand for housing, because many developers say it is difficult to turn a profit under current conditions.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 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
These claims had risen steadily for several years and almost reached a post-pandemic high of 2 million last fall, but they have since tapered off.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 2026
He had long tapered fingers, fat earlobes, and slick hair that rose high to reveal a large forehead.
From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan
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.
