taper

1 of 4

verb

ta·​per ˈtā-pər 

tapered; tapering ˈtā-p(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to become progressively smaller toward one end

2

: to diminish gradually

transitive verb

: to cause to taper

taper

2 of 4

noun (1)

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

taper

3 of 4

adjective

1

: progressively narrowed toward one end

2

: furnished with or adjusted to a scale : graduated

taper freight rates

taper

4 of 4

noun (2)

tap·​er ˈtā-pər 

: one that applies or dispenses tape

Synonyms

Verb

• decrease
• subside
• diminish
• ease
• shrink
• decline
• fall

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

Verb

The slouchy button-front cardigan pairs effortlessly with the matching straight-leg pants tapered at the ankle. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025

On another occasion, he was spotted with another blue baseball cap and the back and sides of his head were obviously tapered. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025

Noun

Instead, layer a few softer light sources throughout your space, like West Elm’s Ribbed Amber Glass Table Lamp and some taper candles. —Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025

These whimsical taper candles remind us a bit of oversized birthday candles. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025

Adjective

Instead, layer a few softer light sources throughout your space, like West Elm’s Ribbed Amber Glass Table Lamp and some taper candles. —Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025

Of course, these candlestick holders are designed to display taper candles, but Haack opted to style a set of three as is. —Maggie Horton, People.com, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English tapor candle, wick, perhaps modification of Latin papyrus papyrus

Noun (2)

tape entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1610, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1920, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing taper

• taper off

Rhymes for taper

• caper
• paper
• raper
• scraper
• shaper
• vapor
• newspaper
• notepaper
• sandpaper
• skyscraper
• wallpaper
• wastepaper

Kids 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