English Reference
Idiom idiom

on the wane


in a period of decrease or decline

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“Her interest in the hobby is on the wane.”

CONTEXTUAL

“Sales were strong in spring, but demand is on the wane as summer ends.”

COMPLEX

“The old traditions, once central to village life, are on the wane, remembered now only by a handful of elders.”


Last updated August 10, 2026