waxing and waning

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   the process by which the moon appears to grow larger and then smaller over a monthly cycle

   Grammar: Often used after 'of' or as a subject: 'the waxing and waning of the moon.'

   Patterns

   • the waxing and waning of the moon
   • the moon's waxing and waning

   Ancient people tracked the waxing and waning of the moon.

   The waxing and waning of the moon affects the tides.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasefigurative

   a pattern in which something increases and then decreases repeatedly

   Grammar: Used figuratively about interest, popularity, power, etc., often with 'of': 'the waxing and waning of interest.'

   Patterns

   • the waxing and waning of something
   • something's waxing and waning

   The waxing and waning of public interest is normal for new trends.

   We studied the waxing and waning of the empire's power.

Common combinations

the waxing and waning of the moon

The waxing and waning of the moon takes about a month.

waxing and waning interest

There has been waxing and waning interest in the project.

wax and wane

Her enthusiasm tends to wax and wane.

waxing and waning fortunes

The team's waxing and waning fortunes worried the fans.

Synonyms and how they differ

fluctuation

A more neutral word for rising and falling, not tied to the moon.

rise and fall

A simpler phrase meaning the same pattern of increase and decrease.

Opposites

Word family

wax verb

To grow larger, especially of the moon.

wane verb

To grow smaller or weaker.

waxing adjective

Growing larger, as in 'a waxing moon.'

waning adjective

Growing smaller, as in 'a waning moon.'

Commonly confused: waxing and waning or waxing and waning?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “waxing and waning”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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