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

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

The morale of many of the workers already had been at a low ebb, given two rounds of layoffs — including the departure of 115 journalists early this year, more than 20% of the newsroom — following a period of growth and hiring since 2017.

From Los Angeles Times

But in his attempts to strengthen the grouping as a counterweight to the Western-led world, he has also exposed other divisions, leaving relations between Brasília and Caracas at their lowest ebb since Lula's re-election two years ago.

From BBC

‘Lifeform’ is me trying to say, this is the form of my life,” whether that be the ebb and flow of existence, or the acknowledgment of being but one tiny organism that makes up the universe.

From Los Angeles Times

The most recent incident marked the latest deterioration in relations, which have been at a low ebb for years as Venezuela has grown increasingly close to Russia and China.

From BBC