Incline
/ɪnˈklaɪn/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo be disposed or willing; to tend or lean towards a particular course of action or opinion.
/ɪnˈklaɪn/
To have a tendency to do something.
I incline to think he's telling the truth.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're deciding between pizza and tacos. If you're thinking you want pizza, you incline to pizza. It means you lean towards it.
👶 For kids: To want to do something.
More Examples
She inclines to agree with the new policy.
Most people incline to a belief in something beyond our current understanding.
How It's Used
"He inclines to believe her."
"The evidence inclines us to think differently."
To cause to lean or slant; to slope or bend.
/ɪnˈklaɪn/
To bend or slant something.
He inclined his head in a gesture of respect.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're tilting your head or bending your body. If you're tilting something, like a board on the wall so that it leans. You *incline* it.
👶 For kids: To bend something.
More Examples
The artist inclined the canvas to catch the light.
They inclined the mirrors to help with observation.
How It's Used
"The builders inclined the roof for drainage."
"The experimenter inclined the test tube to facilitate the reaction."
A slope; an oblique position or direction; a gradient.
/ˈɪn.klaɪn/
A slope or slant.
The incline of the hill made the hike difficult.
💡 Simply: If you're walking up a hill or ramp, that's an incline. It's the slope of the ground.
👶 For kids: A hill or a slope.
More Examples
The roller coaster began its thrilling ride down a steep incline.
Engineers carefully calculate the incline of bridges to ensure safety.
How It's Used
"The road has a steep incline."
"The hiker struggled up the incline."
From Latin *īnclīnāre* ('to lean, bend'), from *in-* ('in, on') + *clīnāre* ('to bend').
The word 'incline' has been used since the 14th century and can be found in works from Shakespeare and Milton, demonstrating its long standing use.
Memory tip
Think of leaning towards a decision - you *incline* to it.