taper

1 of 4

verb

ta·​per ˈtā-pər 

tapered; tapering ˈtā-p(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to become progressively smaller toward one end

2

: to diminish gradually

transitive verb

: to cause to taper

taper

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

a

: a slender candle

b

: a long waxed wick used especially for lighting candles, lamps, pipes, or fires

c

: a feeble light

2

a

: a tapering form or figure

b

: gradual diminution of thickness, diameter, or width in an elongated object

c

: a gradual decrease

taper

3 of 4

adjective

1

: progressively narrowed toward one end

2

: furnished with or adjusted to a scale : graduated

taper freight rates

taper

4 of 4

noun (2)

tap·​er ˈtā-pər 

: one that applies or dispenses tape

Synonyms

Verb

• abate
• de-escalate
• decline
• decrease
• die (away or down or out)
• diminish
• drain (away)
• drop (off)
• dwindle
• ease
• ebb
• fall
• fall away
• lessen
• let up
• lower
• moderate
• pall
• phase down
• ratchet (down)
• rachet (down)
• recede
• relent
• remit
• shrink
• subside
• taper off
• wane

Examples of taper in a Sentence

Verb

leaves that taper to a point

you'll find the symptoms begin tapering gradually about 24 hours after you take the medicine

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Turf scientists determined most fertilizer granules fall within the wheel tracks and taper to the edge of the distribution pattern. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2025

My dining room table was the other pain point—with its chairs that taper towards the back, the X8 would navigate under them and then get stuck. —Anthony Karcz, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

Noun

The brand’s best-selling Silverlake jean, for example, features a full, billowy leg with a slight taper at the ankle and an elasticized waistband meant to cinch and flatter while remaining comfortable and relaxed. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 26 Mar. 2025

Harris described Coleman’s as intricate braids with a bald fade, while defensive tackle Ed Oliver goes with a wave-out/taper/fade. —Tim Graham, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Of course, these candlestick holders are designed to display taper candles, but Haack opted to style a set of three as is. —Maggie Horton, People.com, 16 Feb. 2025

Grab these chic pink glass holders for taper candles. —Blake Bakkila, Glamour, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English tapor candle, wick, perhaps modification of Latin papyrus papyrus

Noun (2)

tape entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1610, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1920, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing taper

• taper off

Rhymes for taper

• caper
• paper
• raper
• scraper
• shaper
• vapor
• newspaper
• notepaper
• sandpaper
• skyscraper
• wallpaper
• wastepaper

Kids Definition

taper

1 of 2 noun

ta·​per ˈtā-pər 

1

a

: a long waxed wick used especially for lighting lamps, pipes, or fires

b

: a slender candle

2

a

: a tapering form or figure

b

: gradual lessening of thickness, diameter, or width in a long object

c

: a gradual decrease

taper

2 of 2 verb

tapered; tapering

ˈtā-p(ə-)riŋ

1

: to make or become gradually smaller toward one end

2

: to become gradually less and less