waning

UK: /ˈweɪnɪŋ/

From the verb wane: (⇒ conjugate)

waning is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

wane /weɪn/   v., waned, wan•ing, n. 
v. [no object]

1. to decrease, as in strength or intensity:
   His influence had waned in the company.
2. Astronomy (of the moon) to decrease in brightness and roundness after the full moon, in regular periods.Compare wax² (def. 2).

n. [countable]

3. an act or period of waning.

Idioms

4. Idioms on the wane, decreasing;
   losing power;
   diminishing.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

wane  (wān), v., waned, wan•ing, n. 
v.i. 

1. to decrease in strength, intensity, etc.:
   Daylight waned, and night came on. Her enthusiasm for the cause is waning.
2. to decline in power, importance, prosperity, etc.:
   Colonialism began to wane after World War II.
3. to draw to a close;
   approach an end:
   Summer is waning.
4. Astronomy (of the moon) to decrease periodically in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full moon. Cf. wax ² (def. 2).

n. 
5. a gradual decrease or decline in strength, intensity, power, etc.
6. the drawing to a close of life, an era, a period, etc.
7. Astronomy the waning of the moon.
8. a period of waning.
9. 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.
10. on the wane, decreasing;
    diminishing:
    The popularity of that song is on the wane.
• bef. 900; Middle English wanen (verb, verbal), Old English wanian to lessen; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle High German wanen, Old Norse vana to cause to wane, destroy
Synonyms
• 1, 2. diminish, fail, sink.
• 5. diminution; failure, decay.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

wane / weɪn/ verb (intransitive)

1. (of the moon) to show a gradually decreasing portion of illuminated surface, between full moon and new moon
   Compare wax22
2. to decrease gradually in size, strength, power, etc
3. to draw to a close

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. on the wane ⇒ in a state of decline

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

ˈwaney, ˈwany adjective