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 of taper

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

Men’s styles include the 501 Loose, a roomier take on the classic button fly and straight leg, and the Baggy Barrel, a roomy silhouette that tapers at the ankle and has waist adjusters for a customizable fit. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 12 Aug. 2026

The vehicle also features an asymmetric tapering glass roof and integrated Formula One-style side pods to feed clean air to the mid-mounted Ilmor block. — New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2026

Noun

Cooking a great meal and setting the table with tapers, vintage glassware, favorite linens from my mom, and using my grandmothers silver serving pieces is truly my love language. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026

Hilderbrand has colorful taper candles and funky candleholders all throughout her home, but none are featured like the all-blue tapers lining a credenza in her dining room. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Birch recommends a layered approach with taper candles grouped en masse, low pendant lighting, and lanterns for a warm, welcoming ambiance. — Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 20 Apr. 2026

To play up the cozy factor, Kelly styled this haven with taper candles in brass holders and a potted plant. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Feb. 2026

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