incline

American  

[in-klahyn, in-klahyn, in-klahyn] / ɪnˈklaɪn, ˈɪn klaɪn, ɪnˈklaɪn /

verb (used without object)

inclined, inclining

1. to deviate from the vertical or horizontal; slant.

   Synonyms:

   pitch, fall, rise, slope, lean

2. to have a mental tendency, preference, etc.; be disposed.

   We incline to rest and relaxation these days.

   Synonyms:

   lean, tend

3. to tend, in a physical sense; approximate.

   The flowers incline toward blue.

   Synonyms:

   veer, verge

4. to tend in character or in course of action.

   a political philosophy that inclines toward the conservative.

   Synonyms:

   veer, verge

5. to lean; bend.

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verb (used with object)

inclined, inclining

1. to dispose (a person) in mind, habit, etc. (usually followed byto ).

   His attitude did not incline me to help him.

2. to bow, nod, or bend (the head, body, etc.).

   He inclined his head in greeting.

3. to cause to lean or bend in a particular direction.

noun

1. an inclined surface; slope; slant.

2. Railroads.

   1. Also called incline plane.  Also called inclined plane.  a cable railroad, the gradient of which is approximately 45°.

   2. any railroad or portion of a railroad, the gradient of which is too steep for ordinary locomotive adhesion alone to be effective.

3. Mining.

   1. an angled shaft following a dipping vein.

   2. an inclined haulageway.

idioms

1. incline one's ear, to listen, especially willingly or favorably.

   to incline one's ear to another's plea.

incline British  

verb

1. to deviate or cause to deviate from a particular plane, esp a vertical or horizontal plane; slope or slant

2. to be disposed or cause to be disposed (towards some attitude or to do something)

   he inclines towards levity

   that does not incline me to think that you are right

3. to bend or lower (part of the body, esp the head), as in a bow or in order to listen

4. to listen favourably (to)

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noun

1. an inclined surface or slope; gradient

2. short for inclined railway

Other Word Forms

• incliner noun
• overincline verb
• reincline verb

Etymology

Origin of incline

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English inclinen, from Latin inclīnāre, equivalent to in- in- ² + -clīnāre “to bend” ( lean ¹ ); replacing Middle English enclinen, from Middle French, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

I’m doing heavy resistance training, or I’m doing incline walking.

From The Wall Street Journal

This exploits a psychological phenomenon known as social proof: Humans are naturally inclined to believe something if they perceive that “everyone is saying it.”

From Salon

“If we think that everyone else accepts that as normal, we might be inclined to do so ourselves,” he said.

From Salon

There are plenty of reasons to bash California, if one is so inclined.

From Los Angeles Times

This suggests that many college students aren’t academically prepared or even inclined.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bend
• impel
• persuade
• predispose
• prompt
• sway