taper

1 of 4

verb

ta·​per ˈtā-pər 

tapered; tapering ˈtā-p(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to become progressively smaller toward one end

2

: to diminish gradually

transitive verb

: to cause to taper

taper

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

a

: a slender candle

b

: a long waxed wick used especially for lighting candles, lamps, pipes, or fires

c

: a feeble light

2

a

: a tapering form or figure

b

: gradual diminution of thickness, diameter, or width in an elongated object

c

: a gradual decrease

taper

3 of 4

adjective

1

: progressively narrowed toward one end

2

: furnished with or adjusted to a scale : graduated

taper freight rates

taper

4 of 4

noun (2)

tap·​er ˈtā-pər 

: one that applies or dispenses tape

Synonyms

Verb

• abate
• de-escalate
• decline
• decrease
• die (away or down or out)
• diminish
• drain (away)
• drop (off)
• dwindle
• ease
• ebb
• fall
• fall away
• lessen
• let up
• lower
• moderate
• pall
• phase down
• ratchet (down)
• rachet (down)
• recede
• relent
• remit
• shrink
• subside
• taper off
• wane

Examples of taper in a Sentence

Verb

leaves that taper to a point

you'll find the symptoms begin tapering gradually about 24 hours after you take the medicine

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In this model, the metal base smoothly tapers into a glowing glass orb not entirely unlike a UFO. —Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 25 Oct. 2024

The bottom line: As Election Day nears, Trump has not tapered his off-script controversial comments — rather, his language has grown more erratic and hyperbolic. —Avery Lotz, Axios, 20 Oct. 2024

Noun

Candles No holiday tablescape is complete without candles, and Beth Barden, the founder of Beth Barden Interiors in Charlotte, swears by lacquered tapers. —Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2024

The mind struggles to comprehend how Life and Trust can exist in the cramped old confines of historic downtown, where the streets are all narrow and the buildings crowd against one another, where all of Manhattan tapers into a point. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 27 June 2024

Adjective

To embrace the color further, try incorporating soft pink linen napkins, taper candles, or chargers to your tablescape. —Shelby Wax, Vogue, 26 June 2024

Instead, grab a few pairs of these taper candles that are hand painted with tiny bows. —Anne Loreto Cruz, Bon Appétit, 8 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English tapor candle, wick, perhaps modification of Latin papyrus papyrus

Noun (2)

tape entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1610, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1920, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing taper

• taper off

Kids Definition

taper

1 of 2 noun

ta·​per ˈtā-pər 

1

a

: a long waxed wick used especially for lighting lamps, pipes, or fires

b

: a slender candle

2

a

: a tapering form or figure

b

: gradual lessening of thickness, diameter, or width in a long object

c

: a gradual decrease

taper

2 of 2 verb

tapered; tapering

ˈtā-p(ə-)riŋ

1

: to make or become gradually smaller toward one end

2

: to become gradually less and less