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

They are especially concerned about immigration, they are doubtful about many equalities policies, and they are more inclined to be sceptical about climate change.

From BBC

People are running up the incline towards the scene of the crash.

From BBC

You have the SNP, Labour and the Scottish Greens all claiming to be the natural home for voters who are that way inclined.

From BBC

The Board of Education, under pressure from many constituencies, has been inclined to avoid cost-cutting and layoffs and has supported salary increases.

From Los Angeles Times

So when a restive Sarah, on one of their protected calls, gently prods for a smidgen of personality from her mysterious unseen helper, one is inclined to shout, “No feelings! Too risky!”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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