wane

American  

[weyn] / weɪn /

verb (used without object)

waned, waning

1. to decrease in strength, intensity, etc..

   Daylight waned, and night came on.

   Her enthusiasm for the cause is waning.

   Synonyms:

   sink , fail , diminish

2. to decline in power, importance, prosperity, etc..

   Colonialism began to wane after World War II.

   Synonyms:

   sink , fail , diminish

3. to draw to a close; approach an end.

   Summer is waning.

4. (of the moon) to decrease periodically in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full moon.

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noun

1. a gradual decrease or decline in strength, intensity, power, etc.

   Synonyms:

   decay , failure , diminution

2. the drawing to a close of life, an era, a period, etc.

3. the waning of the moon.

4. a period of waning.

5. a defect in a plank or board characterized by bark or insufficient wood at a corner or along an edge, due to the curvature of the log.

idioms

1. on the wane,  decreasing; diminishing.

   The popularity of that song is on the wane.

wane British  

/ weɪn /

verb

1. (of the moon) to show a gradually decreasing portion of illuminated surface, between full moon and new moon Compare wax 2

2. to decrease gradually in size, strength, power, etc

3. to draw to a close

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noun

1. a decrease, as in size, strength, power, etc

2. the period during which the moon wanes

3. the act or an instance of drawing to a close

4. a rounded surface or defective edge of a plank, where the bark was

5. in a state of decline

wane More Idioms  

1. see wax and wane.

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Other Word Forms

• waney adjective

Etymology

Origin of wane

First recorded before 900; Middle English verb wanen, Old English wanian “to lessen”; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle High German wanen, Old Norse vana “to cause to wane, destroy”

Example Sentences

These forces are now waning, however, adding to the challenges facing the U.S. economy.

From Barron's

But it and others shut down years ago as tourism waned, mines closed and many people moved away.

From The Wall Street Journal

Known in the majority French-speaking province as laïcité, it has been an important value in Quebec society since the 1960s as the Catholic Church's strong influence began to wane in the province.

From BBC

Both their efficacy and side effects can wane as the days go by until the next shot.

From The Wall Street Journal

The schisms underscore the growing fragility of the nascent coalition in the waning days of its founder.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• abate
• atrophy
• decrease
• die down
• die out
• dim
• dwindle
• ebb
• fade
• peter out
• shrink
• slacken
• subside
• weaken
• wither