# taper

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈteɪpə/ · frequency rank #19,713

## Definitions
1. A slender wax candle.
2. A small light.
3. A tapering form; gradual diminution of thickness and/or cross section in an elongated object.
4. The portion of an object with such a form.
5. Ellipsis of machine taper.
6. A thin stick used for lighting candles, either a wax-coated wick or a slow-burning wooden rod.
7. A cone-shaped item for stretching the hole for an ear gauge (piercing).
8. Gradual reduction over time.

## Etymology
From Middle English taper, from Old English tapor (“taper, candle, wick of a lamp”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Latin papyrus (“papyrus", used in Mediaeval times to mean "wick of a candle”). If so, it is a doublet of papyrus. Alternatively, of Celtic origin related to Irish tapar (“taper”), Welsh tampr (“a taper, torch”); further compare Sanskrit तपती (tápati, “(it) warms, gives out heat, is hot; (it) heats”). More at tepid.

## Easily confused with
- **tar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-tar)
- **ter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-ter)
- **type** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-type)
- **tier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-tier)
- **tate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-tate)
- **taps** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-taps)
- **types** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-types)
- **taxes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-taxes)
- **tower** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-tower)
- **tiger** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-tiger)
- **Tyler** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-tyler)
- **timer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-timer)
- **typed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-typed)
- **taser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-taser)
- **toner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-toner)
- **Thier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-thier)
- **tuner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-tuner)
- **trier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-trier)
- **Tatar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-tatar)
- **tarek** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/taper-vs-tarek)

## Common misspellings (6)
`atper`, `taepr`, `taperr`, `tapre`, `tpaer`, `ttaper`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/taper