incline

[ verb in-klahyn; noun in-klahyn, in-klahyn ]

verb (used without object)

, in·clined, in·clin·ing.

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)

, in·clined, in·clin·ing.

1. to dispose (a person) in mind, habit, etc. (usually followed by to ):

   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 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. whentr, may take an infinitive 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. incline one's ear
   to listen favourably (to)

noun

1. an inclined surface or slope; gradient
2. short for inclined railway

Derived Forms

• inˈcliner, noun

Other Words From

• in·clin·er noun
• o·ver·in·cline verb overinclined overinclining
• re·in·cline verb reinclined reinclining

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

If this is a marathon, they’re at the base of Heartbreak Hill and gazing up a steady incline.

From Los Angeles Times

The trail starts with a very brief steep incline up a paved road before quickly flattening out.

From Los Angeles Times

Rising 75 feet, it utilized flat-bottomed boats and a cable to take passengers up an incline.

From Los Angeles Times

The trail that he was reportedly following includes an 11.4-mile loop that takes an estimated 8 to 10 hours to complete and includes a gentle incline through forest and meadow, according to the National Park Service.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think people are starting to incline toward green jobs. The younger generation wants to be associated with careers where they can work for a cause.”

From Los Angeles Times