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.

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