wane
verb · noun
Simple meaning
To progressively lose its splendor, value, ardor, power, intensity etc.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
waynIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈweɪn
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
verb
intransitive
To progressively lose its splendor, value, ardor, power, intensity etc.; to decline.
intransitiveastronomy
For the Moon to pass through the phases of its monthly cycle where its surface is less and less visible.
intransitive
For light to dim or diminish in strength.
intransitive
Said of a time period that comes to an end.
Decrease in phase
noun
A gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
A gradual diminution in power, value, intensity etc.
The lunar phase during which the sun seems to illuminate less of the moon as its sunlit area becomes progressively smaller as visible from Earth.
literary
The end of a period.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- C2 · Proficient (estimated)
- Frequency
- Rare
- Typical Use
- Primarily written
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: To progressively lose its splendor, value, ardor, power, intensity etc.; to decline.
Used this way, wane is a reasonably familiar word with a faintly unfavourable edge. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Slightly negative
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Moderate
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Critical or judgemental
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use wane
- “Interest in the project waned.”verb
Share your sentence
Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Use This Word
See how this word sounds in a real sentence.
Ask Vocabaura
Understand the word your way.
What Does It Mean Here?
Words can change meaning depending on context.
Use it yourself
Knowing “wane” starts when you use it. Pick a next step, all free.
Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.