incline

/in'klain/
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incline

The hikers carefully walked up the steep incline.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • An inclined surface connecting two levels: A slope or slanting surface, such as a hill or ramp.
    • An elevated geological formation: A natural slope, like the side of a mountain or hill.
  2. Verb:

    • To make receptive or willing towards an action or attitude: To influence someone's feelings or opinions in a particular direction.
    • To feel favorably disposed or willing: To have a personal tendency or preference for a particular idea or action.
    • To be at an angle: To slope or lean in a particular direction.
    • To lower or bend (the head or upper body): To tilt the head or body forward, often as a gesture of respect, agreement, or listening.
    • To have a tendency or disposition to do or be something: To be likely to behave in a certain way or possess a certain characteristic.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:

    • The truck struggled to climb the steep incline.
    • Their cabin was situated on a gentle incline overlooking the valley.
  • Verb:

    • The evidence inclines me to think he is innocent.
    • I incline to the opinion that we should wait for more data.
    • The path inclines sharply to the right just ahead.
    • She inclined her head in a polite greeting.
    • He inclined his ear toward the speaker to hear the whisper.
    • She inclines to pessimism in difficult situations.
Advanced Usage
  • "To incline toward(s) something": To have a tendency, preference, or liking for something.
    • His political views incline toward conservatism.
  • "To be inclined to do something": To have a tendency or willingness to do something.
    • I am inclined to agree with your assessment.
Variants and Related Words
  • Inclination (n): A person's natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way; a slope or slant.
    • She has a strong inclination to help others.
  • Inclined (adj): Having a tendency or preference; sloping or slanting.
    • He is musically inclined.
    • an inclined plane
Synonyms
  • Noun: Slope, gradient, ramp, hill, ascent, descent.
  • Verb: Tend, lean, predispose, influence; slope, tilt, bend, bow; be prone, be liable.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Incline to/toward(s): To tend to favor or support a particular idea, feeling, or course of action.
    • The committee inclines toward approving the proposal.
Related Idioms
  • To incline one's ear: To listen attentively (often used in formal or literary contexts).
    • The king inclined his ear to the pleas of his subjects.
incline

The hikers carefully walked up the steep incline.

Noun
  1. an inclined surface connecting two levels
  2. an elevated geological formation
    • he climbed the steep slope
    • the house was built on the side of a mountain
Verb
  1. make receptive or willing towards an action or attitude or belief
    • Their language inclines us to believe them
  2. feel favorably disposed or willing
    • She inclines to the view that people should be allowed to expres their religious beliefs
  3. be at an angle
    • The terrain sloped down
  4. lower or bend (the head or upper body), as in a nod or bow
    • She inclined her head to the student
  5. bend or turn (one's ear) towards a speaker in order to listen well
    • He inclined his ear to the wise old man
  6. have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
    • She tends to be nervous before her lectures
    • These dresses run small
    • He inclined to corpulence