wane
(redirected from waned)Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia.
Related to waned: suavity
be on the wane
To be decreasing or lessening. Thank goodness this storm is finally on the wane—I can't tolerate another day of rain. The group's power in this region is on the wane, but that doesn't mean another faction won't step in. Though his career is on the wane these days, the director was once a juggernaut of the film industry.
on the wane
Beginning to decrease or lessen; in a period of decline. Thank goodness this storm is finally on the wane—I can't tolerate another day of rain. Though on the wane in recent years, the director was once a juggernaut of the film industry.
wax and wane
To alternatingly increase (wax) and decrease (wane). My fortune has waxed and waned over the years, but I live simply anyway, and it has never affected me much. Voter turnout waxes and wanes depending on which positions are up for election.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
on the wane
becoming less; fading away. Her influence in on the wane, but she is still the boss.
wax and wane
Fig. to increase and then decrease, as the phases of the moon. As the moon waxes and wanes, so does the height of the tide change. Voter sentiment about the tax proposal waxes and wanes with each passing day.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
wax and wane
Increase and decrease, as in size, number, strength, or intensity, as in Enrollments in these programs wax and wane from year to year. This expression alludes to the phases of the moon, with its periodic changes in size. It was first recorded in the 1300s.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
wax and wane
undergo alternate increases and decreases. 2002 New York Times The level of security that people are psychologically able to accept changes as crisis situations wax and wane.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
be on the ˈwane
(written) be becoming smaller or less strong: Their political power is on the wane.When the moon is on the wane it appears smaller in the sky.
ˌwax and ˈwane
(literary) increase then decrease in strength, importance, etc. over a period of time: The government’s popularity has waxed and waned over the past year.These two verbs describe the changing shape of the moon in the sky. When the moon waxes, more of it is visible, and when it wanes we see less of it.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
on the wane
In a period of decline or decrease: "The tide was near the turn and already the day was on the wane" (James Joyce).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.