Taper means to gradually become narrower or smaller toward one end, like how a candle gets thinner as it rises toward the wick, or how a carrot narrows to a point. A tower might taper as it rises, getting slimmer near the top. A pencil tapers to its sharpened point.

The word also describes anything that decreases gradually over time. When doctors help someone stop taking medicine, they create a tapering schedule where the dose gets smaller each week rather than stopping all at once. Athletes often taper their training before a big competition, gradually reducing their workout intensity so their bodies can recover and perform at their best.

A taper can also be a thin candle itself, the kind you might see on a dinner table or birthday cake. These candles got their name from their distinctive shape.

The key idea is always gradual change. A tree branch doesn't suddenly become a thin twig; it tapers smoothly from thick to thin. When something tapers, the change happens little by little, whether you're talking about shapes, amounts, or intensity.