Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to ebb down

to ebb down

6.8
To move back and become less after rising, especially water like tides
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɛb daʊn/
translation icon : retroceder
  • At sunset, we watched the waves ebb down along the quiet shore.

Examples

  • The tide will ebb down soon.

  • As the storm subsided, the floodwaters began to ebb down from the fields.

  • The excitement in the room seemed to ebb down after the announcement was made.

  • As the storm passed, the waves began to ebb down.

  • As the storm subsided, the floodwaters began to ebb down from the fields.

  • After the heavy rains, the river will ebb down to its normal level.

  • During low tide, the ocean will ebb down, exposing the sandy beach.

Synonyms

to ebb
vsto ebb down
19 5.6

To become less in strength, amount, or feeling

is narrower, referring to water receding after it rose
to subside
vsto ebb down
14 4.8

Move down to a lower place, for example into a seat or the ground

is the movement of water flowing back rather than sinking or settling
to ebb away
vsto ebb down
1 5.6

To move back slowly, like water leaving a shore

is the term for receding after a rise rather than slow fading
to ebb out
vsto ebb down
5.6

Move back, like a tide, or become less strong over time

is used for receding that follows a prior rise
to ebb off
vsto ebb down
6.5

To flow back or become less strong slowly

is more focused on physical tide movement after rising

Antonyms

to flood
176 1.0

To cover a place with water when it overflows

to rise up
33 3.9

Move up through a liquid to the surface

How Much

to dry up
19 2.7
to ebb down
6.8
to recede
29 4.8
to subside
47 4.8

Surface Forms

ebb down infinitive
ebbed down past
ebbed down past participle
ebbing down present participle
ebbs down third person singular

Morphology

ebb + down

Both constituents (‘ebb’ = to recede/diminish, and ‘down’ = toward a lower level) directly contribute to the meaning, with ‘down’ simply reinforcing the directional/decreasing sense. This is a straightforward verb + particle composition found cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Ebb down The verb ebb down comes from the sea: when the tide moves away from the shore, the water ebbs and goes down as the level falls. That's why ebb down now means 'recede' or 'get smaller' for water and for things like noise, excitement, or activity.