ebb
ebb Lexical Profile
ebb Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A point or condition of decline, weakness, or low intensity.
"Public confidence in the administration had reached its lowest ebb by the end of the year."
The movement of the tide out to sea, away from the shore.
"The fishermen waited for the ebb before guiding their boats out of the shallow harbor."
• verb
To gradually lessen, fade, or decline in strength, intensity, or quality.
"As the marathon runners approached the final mile, their remaining energy began to ebb."
To move away from the land and back out to sea (of tidewater).
"As the tide began to ebb, smooth shells and tide pools were revealed along the wet sand."
• Rhymes for ebb
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English ebba, meaning 'low tide' or 'receding water', related to the adverbial root of 'off' in the sense of moving away or backward.