ebbing

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ebb /ɛb/   n. 

1. Oceanography [uncountable] the flowing back of the tide to a lower level as the water returns to the sea.
2. [countable* usually singular] a flowing backward or away;
   decline or decay;
   a state of decline.

v. [no object]

3. to flow back or away, such as the water of a tide:
   A crab was left stranded on the beach as the tide ebbed.
4. to decline or decay;
   fade away:
   His strength began to ebb.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ebb  (eb), n. 

1. Oceanography the flowing back of the tide as the water returns to the sea (opposed to 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.

v.i. 

4. to flow back or away, as the water of a tide (opposed to flow).
5. to decline or decay;
   fade away:
   His life is gradually ebbing.

• bef. 1000; (noun, nominal) 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; (verb, verbal) Middle English ebben, Old English ebbian, derivative of the noun, nominal; akin to off

Synonyms

• 4. subside, abate, recede, retire.
• 5. dwindle, diminish, decrease.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ebb / ɛb/ verb (intransitive)

1. (of tide water) to flow back or recede
   Compare flow9
2. to fall away or decline

noun

1. the flowing back of the tide from high to low water or the period in which this takes place
2. (as modifier): the ebb tide
   Compare flood3
3. at a low ebb ⇒ in a state or period of weakness, lack of vigour, or decline

Etymology: 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