ebb Hear it!

ebb Definition

ebb (eb)

noun

  1. the flow of water back toward the sea, as the tide falls
  2. a weakening or lessening; decline the ebb of faith

Etymology: ME ebbe < OE ebba (common LowG, as in MLowG ebbe > Ger ebbe, OFris ebba) < Gmc *abjan, a going back < IE base *apo-, from, away from > off

intransitive verb

  1. to flow back; recede, as the tide
  2. to weaken or lessen; decline

Etymology: ME ebben < OE ebbian

ebb Synonyms

ebb

n.

ebb Synonyms

ebb

v.

recede, subside, abate, retire, flow back, sink, decline, decrease, drop off, melt, fall away, peter out, wane, languish, fall off, decay, dwindle.

Antonyms flow*, rise*, increase. See syn. study at wane.wane.

ebb Usage Examples

Object

tide: Lloyd was right - the fishing there had dropped off with the last of the ebbing tide.

Converse of object

  • watch: Watching the everyday ebb and flow of harbor life is a perfect way to spend a day in Padstow.
  • reach: The Axis alliance as such had again reached low ebb.

Adjective modifier

  • low: He was at the lowest ebb I've ever seen him " .
  • tidal: Estuary - The mouth of a river where it broadens into the sea and within which there is tidal ebb and flow.
  • natural: The trick is to catch them at their peak and relinquish them wholly at their natural ebb.

Modifies a noun

  • tide: There was a strong ebb tide with 15 feet of water.
  • velocity: The flood velocity ratio is 1.1 and the ebb velocity ratio is 0.9.
  • flow: In a search for something to set the pulse racing we chose Cuan Sound at maximum ebb flow for the second dive.
  • current: Flood dominance: A tidal oscillation in velocity that has flood currents greater than ebb currents.
  • stage: In the ebb stage of any movement of God's Spirit, we will experience the desert.

Modifying Another Word

  • away: The crowds are starting to ebb away from Center Court.
  • gently: Eventually we locked out on a fairly gently ebbing tide at 12.20.
  • slowly: As I watched the life slowly ebb from my parents, so too did the life ebb from me.
  • gradually: The drugs have gone a long way in alleviating the pains, but I still feel my life gradually ebbing away.
  • fast: Can she see How the earth's face is scarred, her life ebbing fast?

Noun used with modifier

tide: Superb views from the front windows over the width of the Solway Firth with colors changing as the tides ebb and low.

Followed by a transitive particle

away: The soothing aspects of water can help ebb away the day's tensions, as well as provide a good aerobic workout.

Preposition: of

tide: Attempts were made to stem the ebbing of the tide in vain.

Followed by an intransitive particle

away: But the game quickly ebbed away from the home side.