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decline
[ dih-klahyn ]
/ dɪˈklaɪn /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with object), de·clined, de·clin·ing.
verb (used without object), de·clined, de·clin·ing.
noun
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of decline
First recorded in 1275–1325; (verb) Middle English declinen, from Old French: “to inflect, turn aside, sink,” from Latin dēclīnāre “to slope, incline, bend”; compare Greek klī́nein “to lean” (see lean1); (noun) Middle English declin, from Old French, derivative of decliner
synonym study for decline
1. See refuse1.
OTHER WORDS FROM decline
Words nearby decline
declinable, declinate, declination, declinatory, declinature, decline, declinometer, declive, declivitous, declivity, declivous
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use decline in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for decline
decline
/ (dɪˈklaɪn) /
verb
noun
Derived forms of decline
declinable, adjectivedecliner, nounWord Origin for decline
C14: from Old French decliner to inflect, turn away, sink, from Latin dēclīnāre to bend away, inflect grammatically
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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