taper

/ˈteɪpər/
verb
  1. To gradually become narrower toward one end.
    • Her fingers taper to delicate points.
    • The road tapers as it reaches the mountain pass.
    • The carpenter tapered the legs of the table for a more elegant look.
  2. To gradually decrease in amount, intensity, or activity.
    • The rain began to taper off in the afternoon.
    • He tapered his workout routine as he recovered from the injury.
    • The company plans to taper production by the end of the year.
noun
  1. A slender candle, especially one that is long and thin.
    • He used a taper to light the fireplace.
    • She lit a taper on the birthday cake.
    • The dining table was decorated with silver holders and white tapers.
  2. A gradual narrowing or decrease in size or amount.
    • There was a noticeable taper in the volume of the music.
    • The engineer designed a slight taper on the shaft for better fit.
    • The taper of the pencil makes it easy to sharpen.
Synonyms