Dictionary entry overview: What does tapering mean? • TAPERING (noun) The noun TAPERING has 1 sense: 1. the act of gradually lowering the size or amount Familiarity information: TAPERING used as a noun is very rare. • TAPERING (adjective) The adjective TAPERING has 3 senses: 1. gradually narrowed toward a point 2. becoming gradually narrower 3. gradually decreasing until little remains Familiarity information: TAPERING used as an adjective is uncommon.