Word · CEFR C2 · Frequency #11402
wane
减少；变小；衰落
to become gradually less or smaller
- 1.
To progressively lose its splendor, value, ardor, power, intensity etc.; to decline.
逐渐失去光彩、价值、热情、力量、强度等；衰退。
- 2.
For light to dim or diminish in strength.
(光线)变暗或强度减弱。
- 3.
For the Moon to pass through the phases of its monthly cycle where its surface is less and less visible.
指月球在其每月周期中可见表面逐渐变小的过程
- 4.
Said of a time period that comes to an end.
(指时期)即将结束。
（月）亏；月相渐亏；逐渐失去光彩、价值、热情、力量、强度等；衰退。；(光线)变暗或强度减弱。；指月球在其每月周期中可见表面逐渐变小的过程；(指时期)即将结束。
In use
The team's confidence waned after they lost three games in a row.
Her interest in learning the piano has been waning recently.
As winter approached, the days began to wane.
sth wanes
wane 是不及物动词，不接宾语；常指兴趣、影响等逐渐减弱。
Public interest in the case has waned.
公众对这个案件的兴趣已经减退。
the moon wanes
用于描述月球的视大小逐渐变小，与 wax 相对。
The moon wanes and then becomes a new moon.
月相渐亏，然后变成新月。
be on the wane
这是名词 wane 构成的固定短语，意为“在衰退中”，常放在 be 动词后。
The popularity of this singer is on the wane.
Connections
Collocations
- on the wane
- 正在减弱；逐渐衰落
- Public interest in the scandal is on the wane.公众对这桩丑闻的兴趣正在减弱。
- wax and wane
- （月亮）盈亏；盛衰交替
- The moon waxes and wanes in a regular cycle.月亮按固定周期盈亏。
- waning moon
- 亏月；残月
- The waning moon rose late in the night.亏月到深夜才升起。
- wane in popularity
- 人气下降；越来越不受欢迎
- The band's popularity began to wane after their lead singer left.主唱离开后，乐队的人气开始下降。
- the waning days
- 尾声；行将结束的日子
- They spent the waning days of summer by the lake.他们在湖边度过了夏天的尾声。
Idioms & figurative uses
Learner notes
Memory Tip
把 wane 中间的 a 看作月牙：月牙越变越小，即“亏缺、衰落”。
Context & Register
语域：mixed 常见场景：astronomy (moon phases)、formal writing (figurative decline) 该词作动词时，字面指月亮亏缺（天文语境中较中性）；引申指力量、兴趣等减少或衰落，比较多见于正式书面或文学表达。整体上既可用于中性技术语境，也常见于正式书面语境，故将本条的语域标为混合类。
Pronunciation & Spelling
上述词都与 wane 押韵，读作 /eɪn/。注意：rain、pain、train、plain 虽拼写中含 ain，但发音仍是 /eɪn/；另外 wan /wɒn/（英）或 /wɑːn/（美）、wean /wiːn/ 拼写看似相近，但发音不同。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, OCTANOVE, WIKTIONARY.