Word
waning
Phoneticswan·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈweɪnɪŋ/
UK/wˈeɪnɪŋ/
Definitions
01becoming weaker
C1 · Advanced Literary
adj. getting smaller, weaker, or less powerful over time.
adj. characterised by a gradual decrease in intensity, power, or influence.
“The king struggled to maintain control as his waning influence led to more protests.”
“The administration faced significant challenges in passing the new legislation due to their waning popularity among suburban voters.”
Antonyms
02the moon
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
adj. describes the moon when the bright part you see is getting smaller.
adj. pertaining to the period of the lunar cycle between a full moon and a new moon, during which the visible illuminated area decreases.
“The night was very dark because there was only a thin, waning moon in the sky.”
“Astronomers noted that the waning crescent would provide ideal conditions for observing distant nebulae without excessive light interference.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun.
Antonyms
03the process of decreasing
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary · Formal
n. the process of something becoming less intense or smaller.
n. the act or process of diminishing in size, strength, or importance.
Español:mengua
“We are witnessing the waning of an era as traditional shops close down.”
“The historian argued that the waning of imperial power was a result of internal economic instability rather than external military pressure.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“In 1985, when their popularity appeared to be waning, they wiped the floor with every other act at Live Aid.” “Brand New Day’s success comes as audiences’ interest in films set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and in superhero films as a whole, had been waning.” Etymology
From Middle English waninge, alteration of earlier waniand, waniende, from Old English waniende, from Proto-Germanic wanōndz, present participle of Proto-Germanic wanōną (“to wane”), equivalent to wane + -ing.
From Middle English waning, waninge, wonunge, from Old English wanung (“waning; diminution”), from Proto-Germanic *wanungō, equivalent to wane + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/waning
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0