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Glite Dictionary
to ebb out

to ebb out

5.6
Move back, like a tide, or become less strong over time
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɛb aʊt/
translation icon : retroceder
  • With the fading light, the excitement of the day began to ebb out, leaving a calm atmosphere.

Examples

  • All the vigor is gone, all the life has ebbed out.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Slowly, the sound of the music started to ebb out until it was barely audible.

  • As the tide began to ebb out, the beach became visible once more.

Synonyms

to ebb
vsto ebb out
19 5.6

To become less in strength, amount, or feeling

focuses on flowing back of water and gradual lessening rather than feelings
to flow out
vsto ebb out
16 2.9

Move or pour out in a steady stream, often a liquid

is moving back and gradually diminishing rather than spilling from a source
to subside
vsto ebb out
14 4.8

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

describes flowing back and gradual lessening rather than sinking or settling down
to ebb away
vsto ebb out
1 5.6

To move back slowly, like water leaving a shore

is the general action of receding or gradually diminishing
to flow away
vsto ebb out
1 3.2

Water moves away slowly in a steady stream

is movement back toward a former position and gradual decrease instead
to ebb off
vsto ebb out
6.5

To flow back or become less strong slowly

is limited to physical receding and gradual decrease rather than intensity
to ebb down
vsto ebb out
6.8

To move back and become less after rising, especially water like tides

is general receding or gradual lessening not limited to after a rise
to flow off
vsto ebb out
3.2

To move away from a surface in a steady stream, like water does

is the backward return and gradual reduction rather than steady movement from a surface

Antonyms

to rise
904 1.0

To become greater in amount or strength

How Much

to fade away
69 3.0
to ebb out
5.6
to recede
29 4.8
to subside
47 4.8

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

ebb + out

The meaning 'to flow back or gradually diminish' is directly derivable from 'ebb' (to recede or diminish) combined with 'out' (away/outward); the particle merely specifies direction or extent. This verb+particle composition is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should understand the MWE.

Etymology

Ebb out comes from the sea. When the tide ebbs it moves away from the shore and goes out, leaving wet sand and shallow water behind, so the phrase now means 'to flow back' or 'to gradually lessen'.