taper

¹

[ tey-per ]

verb (used without object)

1. to become smaller or thinner toward one end.
2. to grow gradually lean.

verb (used with object)

1. to make gradually smaller toward one end.
2. to reduce gradually.

noun

1. gradual diminution of width or thickness in an elongated object.
2. gradual decrease of force, capacity, etc.
3. anything having a tapering form, as a spire or obelisk.
4. a candle, especially a very slender one.
5. a long wick coated with wax, tallow, or the like, as for use in lighting candles or gas.

verb phrase

1. 1. to become gradually more slender toward one end.
   2. to cease by degrees; decrease; diminish:

      The storm is beginning to taper off now.

      I haven't stopped smoking entirely, but I'm tapering off to three cigarettes a day.

taper

²

[ tey-per ]

noun

1. a person who records or edits magnetic tape, videotape, etc.

taper

/ ˈteɪpə /

verb

1. to become or cause to become narrower towards one end

   the spire tapers to a point

2. often foll by off to become or cause to become smaller or less significant

noun

1. a thin candle
2. a thin wooden or waxed strip for transferring a flame; spill
3. a narrowing
4. engineering (in conical parts) the amount of variation in the diameter per unit of length
5. any feeble source of light

Derived Forms

• ˈtaperingly, adverb
• ˈtaperer, noun
• ˈtapering, adjective

Other Words From

• ta·per·er noun
• ta·per·ing·ly adverb
• un·ta·per·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of taper¹

First recorded before 900; from Middle English: “wax candle,” from Old English, variant of tapur, dissimilated variant of unattested papur paper

Origin of taper²

First recorded in 1980–85; tape + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of taper¹

Old English tapor, probably from Latin papӯrus papyrus (from its use as a wick)

Example Sentences

However, the publication is already seeing some of that taper off.

From Digiday

One of the most vexing problems for athletes is figuring out how to time their heat adaptation prior to a competition, without messing up their taper, their travel plans, and perhaps their final stint of altitude training.

From Outside Online

This microphone is fine-tuned to capture spoken word and voice at a production-level standard, and it exhibits a high presence bump in the upper midrange with a gradual downward taper until its response drops significantly at the low end.

From Popular-Science

The Federal Reserve surprised the market Wednesday with new hints about its timeline for a rate liftoff — and an acknowledgment of taper talk.

From Axios

Thanks to a smart blend of rocker, taper, sidecut, and new materials, modern all-mountain skis are stable but lively, surfy but powerful, and dynamic but not demanding.

From Outside Online

After that time, it is my hope that things will taper off a bit.

From The Daily Beast

In January, the Fed will start to scale back—taper—its bond purchases, from $85 billion per month to $75 billion.

From The Daily Beast

Gabrielle Taper, 19, sat next to her two teenage friends and nibbled on crawfish and Andouille, a type of sausage made from pork.

From The Daily Beast

Markets would have to defend against the possibility of a strong report reigniting October taper expectations.

From The Daily Beast

This is the dreaded “taper” that has lately given stock markets nausea.

From The Daily Beast

She blushed and declined, and, with the refusal on her very lips, fished it out with her taper fingers.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the porter lifted a taper, and, followed by the young lad, began to make the tour of the church.

From Project Gutenberg

I suppose it to have been large, for, with the help of the feeble taper, I could scarcely distinguish the walls.

From Project Gutenberg

I then desired my young companions to follow, and giving one taper with little ceremony to the abbess, said to her, 'Forward!'

From Project Gutenberg

One by one the delicate candle flames sprang from the taper and a soft light illumined the pale rich chamber.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abate
• dwindle
• lessen
• recede
• subside
• taper off