incline

[in-klahyn, in-klahyn, in-klahyn]

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.

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.

incline

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)

noun

1. an inclined surface or slope; gradient

2. short for inclined railway

Other Word Forms

• incliner noun
• overincline verb
• reincline verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of incline¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of incline¹

C13: from Latin inclīnāre to cause to lean, from clīnāre to bend; see _lean ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

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

Example Sentences

Alexander’s athletes would run his pass rushing drills up the hill’s steep incline.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

However, “the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that ‘Not Like Us’ imparts verifiable facts.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Doing something you are not naturally inclined toward brings a distinctive kind of pleasure.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The true impact of her decision to waive her right to anonymity may not be clear for many years, but the lawyer Elodie Tuaillon-Hibon is not inclined to be optimistic.

Read more on BBC

Unfortunately for workers, today, 90 years since its creation, the board is facing an existential threat from Big Business and from a Supreme Court that seems inclined to diminish its authority, .

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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