ebb

[ eb ]

noun

1. the flowing back of the tide as the water returns to the sea ( flood, flow ).
2. a flowing backward or away; decline or decay:

   the ebb of a once great nation.

3. a point of decline:

   His fortunes were at a low ebb.

verb (used without object)

1. to flow back or away, as the water of a tide ( flow ).

   Synonyms: retire, recede, abate, subside

2. to decline or decay; fade away:

   His life is gradually ebbing.

   Synonyms: decrease, diminish, dwindle

ebb

/ ɛb /

verb

1. (of tide water) to flow back or recede Compare flow
2. to fall away or decline

noun

1. 1. the flowing back of the tide from high to low water or the period in which this takes place
   2. ( as modifier ) Compare flood

      the ebb tide

2. at a low ebb
   in a state or period of weakness, lack of vigour, or decline

Other Words From

• un·ebbed adjective
• un·ebbing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ebb¹

before 1000; (noun) Middle English eb ( be ), Old English ebba; cognate with Old Frisian ebba, Dutch eb ( be ), German Ebbe ebb, Old Norse efja place where water backs up; (v.) Middle English ebben, Old English ebbian, derivative of the noun; akin to off

Word History and Origins

Origin of ebb¹

Old English ebba; related to Old Norse efja river bend, Gothic ibuks moving backwards, Old High German ippihōn to roll backwards, Middle Dutch ebbe ebb

Idioms and Phrases

• at a low ebb

Example Sentences

But given the difficulties predicting the ebbs and flows of migration, how did numbers become so fundamental to the whole immigration debate?

From BBC

Arguably, the Cherries were at their all-time lowest ebb - 23rd in League Two after administration forced them to begin the season on minus 17 points.

From BBC

By the end of February, as the furore around 6 January ebbed, he was ready to hold his first public event.

From BBC

Acknowledging that growth needs to pick up to reach state goals, he said that “we also understand that any high-tech market has ebbs and flows.”

From Los Angeles Times

The industry ebbed and flowed over the next half-century.

From Los Angeles Times