ebb

E0020700 (ĕb)n.1. The receding or outgoing tide, occurring between the time when the tide is highest and the time when the following tide is lowest. Also called ebb tide, falling tide.2. A period of decline or diminution: "Insistence upon rules of conduct marks the ebb of religious fervor" (Alfred North Whitehead).intr.v. ebbed, ebb·ing, ebbs 1. To fall back from the flood stage.2. To fall away or back; decline or recede. See Synonyms at recede¹.

[Middle English ebbe, from Old English ebba; see apo- in Indo-European roots.]

ebb

(ɛb) vb (intr) 1. (Physical Geography) (of tide water) to flow back or recede. Compare flow⁹2. to fall away or declinen3. (Physical Geography) a. the flowing back of the tide from high to low water or the period in which this takes placeb. (as modifier): the ebb tide. Compare flood³4. at a low ebb in a state or period of weakness, lack of vigour, or decline[Old English ebba; related to Old Norse efja river bend, Gothic ibuks moving backwards, Old High German ippihōn to roll backwards, Middle Dutch ebbe ebb]

ebb

(ɛb)

n. 1. the flowing back of the tide as the water returns to the sea. 2. a flowing backward or away; decline or decay. 3. a point or state of decline: His fortunes were at a low ebb. v.i. 4. to flow back or away, as the water of a tide. 5. to decline or decay; fade away. [before 1000; Middle English eb(be), Old English ebba]

ebb

- Suggests the receding of something (e.g. tides) that commonly comes and goes.See also related terms for tides.

ebb

Past participle: ebbed
Gerund: ebbing

Imperative
ebb
ebb

Present
I ebb
you ebb
he/she/it ebbs
we ebb
you ebb
they ebb

Preterite
I ebbed
you ebbed
he/she/it ebbed
we ebbed
you ebbed
they ebbed

Present Continuous
I am ebbing
you are ebbing
he/she/it is ebbing
we are ebbing
you are ebbing
they are ebbing

Present Perfect
I have ebbed
you have ebbed
he/she/it has ebbed
we have ebbed
you have ebbed
they have ebbed

Past Continuous
I was ebbing
you were ebbing
he/she/it was ebbing
we were ebbing
you were ebbing
they were ebbing

Past Perfect
I had ebbed
you had ebbed
he/she/it had ebbed
we had ebbed
you had ebbed
they had ebbed

Future
I will ebb
you will ebb
he/she/it will ebb
we will ebb
you will ebb
they will ebb

Future Perfect
I will have ebbed
you will have ebbed
he/she/it will have ebbed
we will have ebbed
you will have ebbed
they will have ebbed

Future Continuous
I will be ebbing
you will be ebbing
he/she/it will be ebbing
we will be ebbing
you will be ebbing
they will be ebbing

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been ebbing
you have been ebbing
he/she/it has been ebbing
we have been ebbing
you have been ebbing
they have been ebbing

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been ebbing
you will have been ebbing
he/she/it will have been ebbing
we will have been ebbing
you will have been ebbing
they will have been ebbing

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been ebbing
you had been ebbing
he/she/it had been ebbing
we had been ebbing
you had been ebbing
they had been ebbing

Conditional
I would ebb
you would ebb
he/she/it would ebb
we would ebb
you would ebb
they would ebb

Past Conditional
I would have ebbed
you would have ebbed
he/she/it would have ebbed
we would have ebbed
you would have ebbed
they would have ebbed

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	ebb - a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)ebbing, wanedecline, diminution - change toward something smaller or lower
	2.	ebb - the outward flow of the tiderefluxebbtide - the tide while water is flowing outflow, flowing - the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
Verb	1.	ebb - flow back or recede; "the tides ebbed at noon"ebb away, ebb down, ebb off, ebb outfall back - move back and away from; "The enemy fell back"tide, surge - rise or move forward; "surging waves"
	2.	ebb - hem in fish with stakes and nets so as to prevent them from going back into the sea with the ebbbesiege, circumvent, hem in, beleaguer, surround - surround so as to force to give up; "The Turks besieged Vienna"
	3.	ebb - fall away or decline; "The patient's strength ebbed away"recede - become faint or more distant; "the unhappy memories of her childhood receded as she grew older"

ebb

verb1. flow back, go out, withdraw, sink, retreat, fall back, wane, recede, fall away We hopped from rock to rock as the tide ebbed from the causeway.2. decline, drop, sink, flag, weaken, shrink, diminish, decrease, deteriorate, decay, dwindle, lessen, subside, degenerate, fall away, fade away, abate, peter out, slacken There were occasions when my enthusiasm ebbed.noun1. flowing back, going out, withdrawal, retreat, wane, waning, regression, low water, low tide, ebb tide, outgoing tide, falling tide, receding tide We decided to leave on the ebb at six o'clock next morning.2. decline, drop, sinking, flagging, weakening, decrease, decay, dwindling, lessening, deterioration, fading away, petering out, slackening, degeneration, subsidence, shrinkage, diminution the ebb of her creative powersat a low ebb at a low point, at rock bottom, not successful, not profitable The Government's popularity is at a low ebb.

ebb

nounThe act or process of becoming less active or intense:abatement, letup, remission, slackening, subsidence, wane.verb1. To grow or cause to grow gradually less:abate, decrease, diminish, drain, dwindle, lessen, let up, peter (out), rebate, reduce, tail away (or off), taper (off).2. To move back or away from a point, limit, or mark:recede, retract, retreat, retrocede, retrograde, retrogress.3. To become or cause to become less active or intense:abate, bate, die (away, down, off, or out), ease (off or up), fall, fall off, lapse, let up, moderate, remit, slacken, slack off, subside, wane.

Translations

衰退退潮

ebb

(eb) 1. (of the tide) to go out from the land. The tide began to ebb.退潮2. to become less. His strength was ebbing fast.衰退ebb tide the ebbing tide. They sailed on the ebb tide.落潮at a low ebb in a poor or depressed state. She was at a low ebb after the operation. 衰败，不振 on the ebb ebbing or getting less. His power is on the ebb.正在退落

ebb

at (something's) lowest ebb

In a state of decline; less or lower than the typical standard or expectation. The charity struggled to help those in need, as outside donations were at their lowest ebb in years.See also: ebb, low

low ebb

A state of decline. The economy is at a low ebb with no hope of recovery in the near future.See also: ebb, low

at a low ebb

At a low point, like the receding tide. Please don't give me any more bad news—I'm already at a low ebb. Interest in the local soccer team is really at a low ebb, thanks to all those losing seasons.See also: ebb, low

ebb and flow

1. verb To consistently increase and decrease. I wouldn't worry too much about losing money this quarter because we'll earn it back later in the year. That's just how business ebbs and flows.2. noun A period of consistent increase and decrease. I wouldn't worry too much because we always lose money this quarter and then earn it back later in the year. It's just the natural ebb and flow of business.See also: and, ebb, flow

ebb away

To recede or move away. The floodwaters are finally beginning to ebb away, thank goodness. After being stuck in bed for weeks, I'm very relieved that my illness is ebbing away.See also: away, ebb

ebb and flow

to decrease and then increase, as with tides; a decrease followed by an increase, as with tides. The fortunes of the major political parties tend to ebb and flow over time. The ebb and flow of democracy through history is a fascinating subject.See also: and, ebb, flow

ebb away

to recede; to subside; to flow back. His life ebbed away little by little. As the sunlight ebbed away, the sky took on a grayish color.See also: away, ebb

at a low ebb

At a low point, in a state of decline or depression. For example, The current recession has put our business at a low ebb. This idiom transfers the low point of a tide to a decline in human affairs. [Mid-1600s] See also: ebb, low

ebb and flow

A decline and increase, constant fluctuations. For example, He was fascinated by the ebb and flow of the Church's influence over the centuries. This expression alludes to the inward and outward movement of ocean tides. [Late 1500s] See also: and, ebb, flow

at a low ebb

COMMON1. If something is at a low ebb, it is failing and at a low level. Confidence in the whole project was at a low ebb. By now, the company's finances were at a low ebb. Note: You can also say that something is at its lowest ebb. Their reputation was at its lowest ebb.2. If someone is at a low ebb, they are depressed. When I have been at a low ebb I have found the friendship and love of my fellow churchgoers to be a great comfort. Note: You can also say that someone is at their lowest ebb. I was mentally at my lowest ebb. Note: The ebb tide is one of the regular periods, usually two per day, when the sea gradually falls to a lower level, as the tide moves away from the land. See also: ebb, low

ebb and flow

COMMON The ebb and flow of something is the way that it continuously changes, especially in its amount or level. The advantage to the employer is flexibility to cope with the commercial ebb and flow. The vineyards are tucked into small clearings formed by the natural ebb and flow of the hills and the trees. Note: Ebb and flow is also used as a verb meaning to change continuously, especially in amount or level. During those thirty years the fortunes of the British film industry ebbed and flowed. Note: This expression comes from the idea of the tide ebbing and flowing (= going in and out). See also: and, ebb, flow

at a low ebb

in an especially poor state.See also: ebb, low

ebb and flow

a recurrent or rhythmical pattern of coming and going or decline and regrowth. This expression makes reference to the regular movement of the tides, where ebb means move away from the land and flow move back towards it.See also: and, ebb, flow

the ˌebb and ˈflow (of somebody/something)

the repeated, often regular, movement from one state to another; the repeated change in level, numbers or amount: the ebb and flow of money/seasons ♢ She sat quietly, enjoying the ebb and flow of conversation.This expression refers to the movement of the sea away from and towards the land.See also: and, ebb, flow

(at) a low ˈebb

not as good, strong, successful, etc. as usual: Business confidence is at a low ebb at the moment. ♢ Our family fortunes are at a bit of a low ebb. OPPOSITE: (on) the crest of a waveThis idiom refers to a very low tide, when the sea is a long way from the land.See also: ebb, low

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ebb

at (something's) lowest ebb

low ebb

at a low ebb

ebb and flow

ebb away

ebb and flow

ebb away

at a low ebb

ebb and flow

at a low ebb

ebb and flow

at a low ebb

ebb and flow

the ˌebb and ˈflow (of somebody/something)

(at) a low ˈebb

ebb

ebb

EBB

ebb

Synonyms for ebb

verb flow back

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verb decline

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noun flowing back

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noun decline

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phrase at a low ebb

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Synonyms for ebb

noun the act or process of becoming less active or intense

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verb to grow or cause to grow gradually less

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verb to move back or away from a point, limit, or mark

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verb to become or cause to become less active or intense

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Synonyms for ebb

noun a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)

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Related Words

noun the outward flow of the tide

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verb flow back or recede

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Antonyms

verb hem in fish with stakes and nets so as to prevent them from going back into the sea with the ebb

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verb fall away or decline

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