Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » wane

wane

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

Wane means to decrease in power, size or intensity.

(verb)

An example of to wane is for the visible face of the moon to appear to be gradually growing smaller over many nights, changing from a full round shape to a thin crescent shape.

Wane is defined as a period of decline in size or intensity.

(noun)

An example of wane is the declining popularity and career of an old movie star.

See wane in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb waned, waning

to grow gradually less in extent: said esp. of the visible face of the moon during the phases after full moon in which the lighted portion is gradually reduced to a thin crescent on the left, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere
to become less intense, bright, strong, etc.; grow dim or faint, as a light
to decline in power, importance, prosperity, influence, etc.
to approach the end: said of a period of time: the day wanes

Origin: ME wanien < OE wanian, to decrease, grow less, akin to wan, lacking: for IE base see want

noun

1. the gradual decrease in the visible face of the moon after it has become full
2. the time when this takes place
a gradual decrease in power, importance, intensity, etc., esp. after a gradual climb to a peak
a period of decline
the beveled, defective, bark-covered edge or corner of a board or plank cut from an unsquared log or block of wood

See wane in American Heritage Dictionary 4

intransitive verb waned waned, wan·ing, wanes

To decrease gradually in size, amount, intensity, or degree; decline.
To exhibit a decreasing illuminated area from full moon to new moon.
To approach an end.

noun

The act or process of gradually declining or diminishing.
a. A time or phase of gradual decrease.
b. The period of the decrease of the moon's illuminated visible surface.
A defective edge of a board caused by remaining bark or a beveled end.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English wanen

Origin: , from Old English wanian; see euə- in Indo-European roots

Learn more about wane

wane synonyms

wane phrase meanings

wane in a sentence

link/cite print suggestion box