incline
/in'klain/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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.
Noun
- an inclined surface connecting two levels
- an elevated geological formation
- he climbed the steep slope
- the house was built on the side of a mountain
Verb
- make receptive or willing towards an action or attitude or belief
- Their language inclines us to believe them
- feel favorably disposed or willing
- She inclines to the view that people should be allowed to expres their religious beliefs
- be at an angle
- The terrain sloped down
- lower or bend (the head or upper body), as in a nod or bow
- She inclined her head to the student
- bend or turn (one's ear) towards a speaker in order to listen well
- He inclined his ear to the wise old man
- 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