taper
/ˈteɪpə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈepɚ] /ˈteɪpər/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈepɚ] /ˈtā-pər How to pronounce taper (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈteɪ.pər/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈepɚ] /ˈteɪ.pɚ/ (ame, ipa)
taper — verb
- taperpresent simple I / you / we / they
- tapershe / she / it
- taperedpast simple
- tapering-ing form
1. to run from a wider part to a thinner tip, or to shape something so it becomes n
to run from a wider part to a thinner tip, or to shape something so it becomes narrow near the end
The path tapers as it reaches the old stone bridge.
intransitive: shape becomes narrower
The carpenter tapered the table legs before adding the dark stain.
transitive: taper + object
Near the tip, the pencil tapers into a fine point.
Sora tapered the branch with a knife for the garden sign.
- widen
Shows the shape becoming broader instead of narrower.
文法句型
something tapers toward one end
taper something at the end
用法筆記
Often used for physical forms such as paths, legs, pencils, or branches. Distinguish from verb/2, which is about an amount becoming smaller over time.
常見錯誤
2. to grow smaller little by little in amount, strength, or level, or to reduce it
to grow smaller little by little in amount, strength, or level, or to reduce it in stages
Phone calls tapered after the family moved overseas in August.
activity gradually becomes less frequent
The nurse tapered his pain medicine over three careful weeks.
taper medicine over a period
Interest in the podcast tapered near the final two episodes.
By late afternoon, the rain tapered and children went outside.
- increase
Used when an amount or level becomes greater instead of less.
文法句型
something tapers over time
taper something over a period
用法筆記
Common with medicine, spending, demand, rain, or activity over a period of time. Unlike verb/1, this sense describes level or intensity rather than shape.
常見錯誤
3. to do less training in the days before a big race so your body can rest and feel
to do less training in the days before a big race so your body can rest and feel ready
Mina tapers for two weeks before every marathon she runs.
intransitive: taper before a race
The coach tapered the squad's training before the national final.
transitive: taper training before an event
Ethan is tapering now, so his bike rides are shorter.
Our team tapers after the hardest month of race practice.
- build up
Used when training volume or intensity is being increased.
文法句型
someone tapers before a race
taper training before an event
用法筆記
Used in endurance sports and race preparation, often with before or for plus the event. It refers to planned reduction for recovery, not simply missing practice.
常見錯誤
taper — noun
- tapersingular
- tapersplural
1. a slim candle or waxed wick used to light another candle, lamp, pipe, or fire
a slim candle or waxed wick used to light another candle, lamp, pipe, or fire
Grandpa lit the stove with a taper kept by the hearth.
light something with a taper
The usher carried a small taper to each candle on stage.
She touched the taper to the oil lamp and waited.
A box of tapers sat beside the old church lanterns.
文法句型
a taper
light something with a taper
用法筆記
Usually countable and often found in historical, church, or ceremonial settings. It can refer to a thin candle itself or to a waxed wick used for lighting something else.
常見錯誤
2. a shape that becomes narrower toward one end, or the degree to which a long obje
a shape that becomes narrower toward one end, or the degree to which a long object becomes thinner
The table leg has a gentle taper near the floor.
the taper of a long object
Engineers checked the taper of the metal pin before assembly.
The pencil's taper makes it easier to sharpen evenly.
From shoulder to wrist, the sleeve shows a neat taper.
- width
Focuses on broad measurement instead of narrowing.
文法句型
a taper in something
the taper of something
用法筆記
Common in design, sewing, carpentry, and engineering. It refers to physical narrowing, not to a reduction in amount like verb/2.
taper — adjective
- taperpositive
- taperercomparative
- taperestsuperlative
1. made so that one end is wider and the other end becomes thinner
made so that one end is wider and the other end becomes thinner
The bench stands on sturdy taper legs of dark walnut.
usually before a noun
The machine uses a taper pin to lock the wheel.
Rania bought a desk with clean taper legs and brass feet.
The workshop replaced the broken taper shaft after lunch.
- conical
Stronger and more specific, often for a full cone shape.
- straight
Describes a form that keeps the same width instead of narrowing.
文法句型
a taper + noun
用法筆記
Usually appears before a noun in design or technical descriptions, especially with legs, pins, shafts, or other long parts.
2. set according to a scale so the amount changes by fixed levels or steps
set according to a scale so the amount changes by fixed levels or steps
The railway once used taper freight rates for very long trips.
specialist use with rates
The contract lists taper charges for larger monthly orders.
Older trade reports mention taper prices for bulk grain shipments.
Their catalog explained the taper fee system in one table.
- flat
Describes a single unchanging rate instead of one based on steps.
文法句型
a taper + noun for rates or charges
用法筆記
This rare sense is mainly found before nouns such as rates, charges, prices, or fees in formal trade or transport writing.