Definition

1. Noun:

   • The outward flow of the tide: The period when the tide moves away from the shore, causing the water level to fall.
   • A gradual decline (in size, strength, power, or number): A slow weakening or reduction.

2. Verb:

   • To fall away or decline: To gradually decrease in intensity, strength, or level.
   • To flow back or recede: To move away, especially of water or tide.
   • (Archaic) To hem in fish with stakes and nets to prevent them from escaping with the outgoing tide: An old fishing method.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • We walked along the beach at low ebb. (We walked along the beach when the tide was out.)
  • His fortunes were at a low ebb after the business failed. (His fortunes were in a state of decline after the business failed.)

• Verb:

  • The floodwaters began to ebb. (The floodwaters began to recede.)
  • Her enthusiasm for the project ebbed as the difficulties mounted. (Her enthusiasm for the project declined as the difficulties increased.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be at a low ebb": To be in a poor or weakened state; to be at a low point.

  • Morale in the office is at a low ebb. (Morale in the office is very low.)

• "ebb and flow": A recurrent or rhythmic pattern of coming and going, or decline and increase.

  • The ebb and flow of conversation continued all evening. (The natural rhythm of conversation rising and falling continued all evening.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ebbtide (n): The period or process of the tide ebbing; the tide while ebbing.
  • They set sail on the ebbtide. (They set sail as the tide was going out.)

Synonyms

• Noun (decline): Decline, wane, diminution, downturn.
• Verb (recede): Recede, retreat, subside, abate.
• Verb (decline): Decline, dwindle, wane, fade.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Ebb away: To gradually disappear or weaken.
  • His strength ebbed away during the long illness. (His strength gradually weakened during the long illness.)

Related Idioms

• At a low ebb: In a state of weakness, depression, or poor condition.
  • The team's confidence was at a low ebb after three consecutive losses. (The team's confidence was very low after three consecutive losses.)

Noun

1. the outward flow of the tide
2. a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)

Verb

1. fall away or decline
   • The patient's strength ebbed away
2. hem in fish with stakes and nets so as to prevent them from going back into the sea with the ebb
3. flow back or recede
   • the tides ebbed at noon