1
a
: a slender candle
b
: a long waxed wick used especially for lighting candles, lamps, pipes, or fires
c
: a feeble light
2
a
: a tapering form or figure
b
: gradual diminution of thickness, diameter, or width in an elongated object
c
: a gradual decrease
1
: progressively narrowed toward one end
2
: furnished with or adjusted to a scale : graduated
taper freight rates
Synonyms
Examples of taper in a Sentence
Verb
leaves that taper to a point
you'll find the symptoms begin tapering gradually about 24 hours after you take the medicine
Recent Examples on the Web
Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 25 Oct. 2024
The bottom line: As Election Day nears, Trump has not tapered his off-script controversial comments — rather, his language has grown more erratic and hyperbolic.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 20 Oct. 2024
Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2024
The mind struggles to comprehend how Life and Trust can exist in the cramped old confines of historic downtown, where the streets are all narrow and the buildings crowd against one another, where all of Manhattan tapers into a point.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 27 June 2024
Shelby Wax, Vogue, 26 June 2024
Instead, grab a few pairs of these taper candles that are hand painted with tiny bows.
—Anne Loreto Cruz, Bon Appétit, 8 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for taper 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
In this model, the metal base smoothly tapers into a glowing glass orb not entirely unlike a UFO.
—Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 25 Oct. 2024
The bottom line: As Election Day nears, Trump has not tapered his off-script controversial comments — rather, his language has grown more erratic and hyperbolic.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 20 Oct. 2024
Noun
Candles No holiday tablescape is complete without candles, and Beth Barden, the founder of Beth Barden Interiors in Charlotte, swears by lacquered tapers.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2024
The mind struggles to comprehend how Life and Trust can exist in the cramped old confines of historic downtown, where the streets are all narrow and the buildings crowd against one another, where all of Manhattan tapers into a point.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 27 June 2024
Adjective
To embrace the color further, try incorporating soft pink linen napkins, taper candles, or chargers to your tablescape.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 26 June 2024
Instead, grab a few pairs of these taper candles that are hand painted with tiny bows.
—Anne Loreto Cruz, Bon Appétit, 8 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for taper
Dictionary Entries Near taper
Cite this Entry
“Taper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taper. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
taper
1 of 2 noun
ta·per
ˈtā-pər 
1
a
: a long waxed wick used especially for lighting lamps, pipes, or fires
b
: a slender candle
2
a
: a tapering form or figure
b
: gradual lessening of thickness, diameter, or width in a long object
c
: a gradual decrease
taper
2 of 2 verb
tapered; tapering
ˈtā-p(ə-)riŋ
1
: to make or become gradually smaller toward one end
2
: to become gradually less and less
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share