Taper off Meaning in English
expression
ˈteɪpɝ/ /ˈɔf
TAY-per AWF
tˈeɪpɐ/ /ˈɒf
TAY-puh OF
Definition
To slowly become less, smaller, or weaker over time. Often used for things like pain, activity, or the amount of something.
Usage & Nuances
"Taper off" is informal and common in both spoken and written English. Used with things that reduce little by little (e.g., rain, medicine, crowds). Often followed by "until" or a time phrase (e.g., 'taper off by the end of the week').
Spanish: disminuir gradualmente - ir disminuyendoPortuguese (BR): diminuir gradualmente - ir ficando menorPortuguese (PT): diminuir gradualmente - ir ficando menorChinese (Simplified): 逐渐减少 - 逐步减弱Chinese (Traditional): 逐漸減少 - 逐步減弱Hindi: धीरे-धीरे कम होनाArabic: يقل تدريجياًBengali: ক্রমশ কমে যাওয়া - ধীরে ধীরে হ্রাস পাওয়াRussian: постепенно снижаться - сходить на нетJapanese: 徐々に減少する - 次第に弱まるVietnamese: giảm dần - yếu dầnKorean: 점차 줄어들다 - 서서히 약해지다Turkish: yavaş yavaş azalmak - giderek sona ermekUrdu: آہستہ آہستہ کم ہوناIndonesian: berangsur-angsur berkurang - makin lama makin sedikit
Example Sentences
The rain will taper off later this afternoon.
basic
The doctor told me to taper off the medicine slowly.
basic
Attendance at the meetings began to taper off after summer.
basic
After a while, my headache finally started to taper off.
natural
Interest in the project seemed to taper off once the holidays hit.
natural
If you stop smoking, your cough should taper off on its own.
natural