verb

wane

wayn

verb

To gradually become weaker, smaller, or less intense.

"His enthusiasm for the project began to wane after a few months."

"Support for the policy waned as the economy improved."

Of the moon, to appear to shrink night by night after the full moon.

"The moon waned steadily over the following two weeks."

noun

The phase of decline, especially as in the expression "on the wane."

"The empire's power was clearly on the wane by that century."

How to Use Wane

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo gradually shrink, fade, or lose strength — classically used for the moon, but also for interest, power, or influence.

Common mistake

Often paired with "wax" in the phrase "wax and wane" (grow then shrink) — don't use "wane" to mean growing.

Common pairings

wax and wane on the wane interest wanes influence waning

Word Forms

waned past tense, wanes plural, wanes plural, wanes plural, wanes singular

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His enthusiasm for the project began to _____ after a few months.

Etymology

From Old English wana, meaning "lack" or "deficiency" — the same ancient root underlies "want" and "wan," all connected to the idea of something falling short or emptying out.

Antonyms

wax

Related Words

abate increase kill wax diminish

Rhymes for wane

cane lane Dane mane vane pane bane sane Jane fane Zane kane

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