ebb Definition
- 1the movement of the tide out to sea
- 2a gradual decline or decrease
- 3to recede or flow outwards
Using ebb: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ebb" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The ebb and flow of the tide is a natural phenomenon.
Example
The company's fortunes have been in steady ebb for the past few years.
Example
The crowd began to ebb away as the concert ended.
Example
His strength was ebbing away.
ebb Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with ebb
Example
The ebb and flow of the stock market is difficult to predict.
Example
After losing his job, his self-confidence was at a low ebb.
Example
As the night wore on, her energy began to ebb away.
Origins of ebb
from Middle English 'ebbe', from Old English 'ebba', meaning 'low tide'
Summary: ebb in Brief
'Ebb' [ɛb] refers to the movement of the tide out to sea, or a gradual decline or decrease. It can be used as both a noun and a verb, as in 'The ebb and flow of the tide is a natural phenomenon.' 'At a low ebb,' is an idiomatic expression that means at a point of great weakness, exhaustion, or decline. 'Ebb away' means to gradually diminish or lessen.