wane

[ weyn ]

/ weɪn /

verb (used without object), waned, wan·ing.

to decrease in strength, intensity, etc.: Daylight waned, and night came on. Her enthusiasm for the cause is waning.

to decline in power, importance, prosperity, etc.: Colonialism began to wane after World War II.

to draw to a close; approach an end: Summer is waning.

(of the moon) to decrease periodically in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full moon.Compare wax²(def 2).

noun

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

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

the waning of the moon.

a period of waning.

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.

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a creature, variously described as a serpent, lizard, or dragon, said to kill by its breath or look.

place or source of origin.

a person's area of skill, knowledge, authority, or work.

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Idioms for wane

on the wane, decreasing; diminishing: The popularity of that song is on the wane.

Origin of wane

before 900; Middle English wanen (v.), Old English wanian to lessen; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle High German wanen, Old Norse vana to cause to wane, destroy

SYNONYMS FOR wane

1, 2 diminish, fail, sink.

5 diminution; failure, decay.

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OTHER WORDS FROM wane

un·waned, adjectiveun·wan·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wane

wane wax

Words nearby wane

wanderoo, wandoo, wandorobo, wandsman, wandsworth, wane, waney, wang an shi, wang ching-wei, wang jing wei, wang yang-ming

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for waning

For progressives, the waning days of 2014 should be as dark a moment as their movement has faced since 2004.
Progressives: Big Ideas Will Win Us 2016|David Freedlander|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The government report states the “outbreak [of beetles] is waning.”
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As we enter the waning years of the Obama Administration, America remains as divided as ever on matters of race.
As Michael Brown Grand Jury Winds Down, Is Ferguson on the Brink of War?|Ron Christie|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, her popularity is waning as the big 3-0 approaches, so Garfield decides to dump her at an antique furniture store.
'BoJack Horseman': The Debauched Tales of a Drunken, Groupie-Sexing D-List Horse, Hits Netflix|Marlow Stern|August 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Some are taking concrete steps to take control of their waning youth.
High Manxiety: Thirtysomething Men Are The New Neurotic Singles|Hannah Seligson|May 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The stars were shining when we came out on the terrace, and the waning moon still hung its crescent overhead.
From Egypt to Japan|Henry M. Field
Then he remarked that the eruption of Vesuvius was waning and the trouble nearly over for this time.
Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad|Edith Van Dyne
The waning light fell full upon her, and the sunset seemed to be faintly reflected in her face.
The Short Line War|Samuel Merwin
On again, faster and faster, flitted the Gray Shadows in the waning of the day.
The Outcasts|W. A. Fraser
His face expressed no more than a detached and waning interest.
The Tidal Wave and Other Stories|Ethel May Dell

British Dictionary definitions for waning

wane

/ (weɪn) /

verb (intr)

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

to decrease gradually in size, strength, power, etc

to draw to a close

noun

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

the period during which the moon wanes

the act or an instance of drawing to a close

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

on the wane in a state of decline

Derived forms of wane

waney or wany, adjective

Word Origin for wane

Old English wanian (vb); related to wan-, prefix indicating privation, wana defect, Old Norse vana

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with waning

wane

see wax and wane.

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wane

verb (used without object), waned, wan·ing.

noun

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Idioms for wane

Origin of wane

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Example sentences from the Web for waning

British Dictionary definitions for waning

verb (intr)

noun

Derived forms of wane

Word Origin for wane

Idioms and Phrases with waning

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

wane

verb (used without object), waned, wan·ing.

noun

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Idioms for wane

Origin of wane

SYNONYMS FOR wane

OTHER WORDS FROM wane

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wane

Words nearby wane

Words related to waning

Example sentences from the Web for waning

British Dictionary definitions for waning

verb (intr)

noun

Derived forms of wane

Word Origin for wane

Idioms and Phrases with waning