ebb

[eb]

noun

1. the flowing back of the tide as the water returns to the sea (flood,flow ).

2. a flowing backward or away; decline or decay.

   the ebb of a once great nation.

3. a point of decline.

   His fortunes were at a low ebb.

verb (used without object)

1. to flow back or away, as the water of a tide (flow ).

   Synonyms: retire, recede, abate, subside

2. to decline or decay; fade away.

   His life is gradually ebbing.

   Synonyms: decrease, diminish, dwindle

ebb

/ ɛb /

verb

1. (of tide water) to flow back or recede Compare flow

2. to fall away or decline

noun

1. 1. the flowing back of the tide from high to low water or the period in which this takes place

   2. ( as modifier ) Compare flood

      the ebb tide

2. in a state or period of weakness, lack of vigour, or decline

Other Word Forms

• unebbed adjective
• unebbing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ebb¹

before 1000; (noun) Middle English eb ( be ), Old English ebba; cognate with Old Frisian ebba, Dutch eb ( be ), German Ebbe ebb, Old Norse efja place where water backs up; (v.) Middle English ebben, Old English ebbian, derivative of the noun; akin to off

Word History and Origins

Origin of ebb¹

Old English ebba; related to Old Norse efja river bend, Gothic ibuks moving backwards, Old High German ippihōn to roll backwards, Middle Dutch ebbe ebb

Idioms and Phrases

• at a low ebb

Example Sentences

Or does global conflict and economic desperation make their continuing flow inevitable, with ebbs and flows in the numbers?

From BBC

But even as Modi rushes through with long-delayed reforms, India's growth prospects have slowed significantly from the 8% levels seen a few years ago, and its external crisis shows no sign of ebbing.

From BBC

“You would think this would be a time when we’re at an ebb in instruction,” Isaacs said.

From Los Angeles Times

The war has ebbed and flowed ever since.

From BBC

Within these communities exists an informal collectivism, an ebb and flow of residents, of families, of neighbors coming together at farmer’s markets, in city parks and common spaces, in a tacit recognition of shared values.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abate 
• degenerate 
• deteriorate 
• die down 
• die out 
• diminish 
• dwindle 
• ease off 
• fall away 
• fall back 
• lessen 
• melt 
• peter out 
• recede 
• shrink 
• slacken 
• wane 
• weaken