verb (used without object)
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.
(of the moon) to decrease periodically in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full moon. Compare wax2 ( def 2 ).
noun
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.
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.
00:10
Wane
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is skedaddle. Does it mean:
| to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle. |
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
10.
on the wane, decreasing; diminishing: The popularity of that song is on the wane.
Origin:
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
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
Related forms
un·waned, adjective
un·wan·ing, adjective
Synonyms
1, 2. diminish, fail, sink. 5. diminution; failure, decay.
1, 2. diminish, fail, sink. 5. diminution; failure, decay.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To wane
Collins
World English Dictionary
wane (weɪn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | Compare wax (of the moon) to show a gradually decreasing portion of illuminated surface, between full moon and new moon |
| 2. | to decrease gradually in size, strength, power, etc |
| 3. | to draw to a close |
| —n | |
| 4. | a decrease, as in size, strength, power, etc |
| 5. | the period during which the moon wanes |
| 6. | the act or an instance of drawing to a close |
| 7. | a rounded surface or defective edge of a plank, where the bark was |
| 8. | on the wane in a state of decline |
| [Old English wanian (vb); related to wan-, prefix indicating privation, wana defect, Old Norse vana] | |
| 'waney | |
| —adj | |
| 'wany | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
wane
O.E. wanian "make or become smaller gradually," from P.Gmc. *wanojanan (cf. O.S. wanon, O.N. vana, O.Fris. wania, M.Du. waenen, O.H.G. wanon "to wane, to grow less"), from *wano- "lacking," from PIE *we-no-, from base *eue- "to leave, abandon, give out" (see vain). Related: waned, wanes.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Adventurous eating doesn't necessarily wane after middle-age, either, although changes in the senses can affect food preferences.
In the long trip from phenom to aging veteran, his skills may have begun to wane, but his popularity has not.
They must keep changing these or their results will wane, along with profits.
He might as well have taken out an advert announcing that his celebrity was on the wane.
Idioms & Phrases
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
