incline

incline — verb

1. to be drawn toward a particular opinion, feeling, or action, or to create that t

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to be drawn toward a particular opinion, feeling, or action, or to create that tendency in another person

Example

Maja inclined toward accepting the job offer after learning about the flexible hours.

incline toward + gerund for tendency

Pedro's past success inclined the committee to trust him with the new project.

transitive: incline + object + to-infinitive

Synonyms
  • tend

    simpler and more common; no implication of influence from outside

  • lean

    slightly less formal, often used in 'lean toward' for opinions

  • be disposed

    more formal, suggests a pre-existing mental state rather than a developing one

  • predispose

    stronger, implies a biological or prior experience as the cause

Antonyms
  • deter

    to discourage someone from an action or belief

Grammar Patterns

be inclined + to-infinitive

incline + to/toward + noun

Usage Note

Frequently passive: the past participle 'inclined' acts almost like an adjective ('I am inclined to agree'). The active intransitive form ('He inclines toward…') is more formal and less common in speech.

Common Mistakes

I incline to go home early.
I am inclined to go home early.
'incline' as an active verb is rarely used for personal preferences in everyday English; the passive form is the natural choice.
The weather inclined me for staying inside.
The weather inclined me to stay inside.
use a to-infinitive, not 'for + gerund'.

2. to be positioned at an angle rather than flat or upright, or to place something

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to be positioned at an angle rather than flat or upright, or to place something in such a sloping position

Example

The old bookshelf inclined slightly to the left, making the top row look crooked.

intransitive: incline + direction

The architect inclined the glass roof at exactly fifteen degrees for better drainage.

transitive: incline + object + at [angle]

Common collocations
  • incline steeply
  • incline gently
  • incline [direction]
Synonyms
  • slope

    more common in everyday language for surfaces and terrain

  • slant

    suggests a diagonal line or surface, often less gradual than incline

  • tilt

    implies one side is raised or lowered, often used for objects rather than land

  • lean

    common for objects resting against something; more informal than incline

Antonyms
  • level

    to make flat or even

Grammar Patterns

incline + [direction/preposition]

inclined + noun phrase

Usage Note

More formal than 'lean' or 'slope' for physical position. 'The road slopes' is everyday English; 'the road inclines' is more technical or literary. Common in descriptions of architecture and geography.

Common Mistakes

The hill inclines to the river.' (vague)
The hill inclines gently toward the river.
add an adverb such as 'gently' or 'steeply' for clarity.

3. to move your face and upper body forward and downward to show polite attention,

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to move your face and upper body forward and downward to show polite attention, agreement, or respect

Example

Selim inclined his head to thank the priest as he received the blessing.

formal context: inclined his head + to-infinitive

Sirin inclined her head slightly to show she had understood the instructions.

showing understanding non-verbally

Common collocations
  • incline one's head
  • incline one's body
Synonyms
  • bow

    a more pronounced whole-body gesture; less subtle than incline

  • nod

    lighter and more common; just a quick dip of the head

  • bend forward

    more literal, less associated with ceremonial meaning

Grammar Patterns

incline + [head/body] + [direction/preposition]

Usage Note

Almost exclusively takes 'head' or 'body' as the direct object. 'Incline one's head' is a formal alternative to 'nod' — the latter is preferred in casual conversation. Unlike 'bow', which involves the whole upper body, 'incline' usually describes a smaller, more subtle movement.

Common Mistakes

She inclined at the end of the song.' (missing object)
She inclined her head at the end of the song.
this sense always needs a direct object stating what body part is bent.

incline — noun

Word family

  • inclination
    nounB2
  • inclined
    adjectiveB2
  • disinclined
    adjectiveC1
  • disincline
    verbC1
  • inclining
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe a mental or emotional movement toward something, but they differ in register and structure. 'Tend' is the most neutral and common: 'I tend to arrive early' simply states a habit. 'Incline' is more formal and often implies an external influence or a gradual development — 'I am inclined to agree' suggests you have been gently persuaded. 'Lean' is informal and conversational: 'I'm leaning toward the blue one' sounds natural in a shop or casual discussion. 'Be disposed' belongs to formal writing and law; it suggests a fixed mental stance rather than a tentative one. In everyday speech, 'incline' appears almost exclusively in the passive ('I am inclined to…'), while 'tend' and 'lean' work actively. Example: 'The judge was inclined to leniency' (formal); 'I tend to wake up early' (neutral); 'I'm leaning toward pizza tonight' (casual).

incline ↗tend ↗lean ↗be disposed

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • be inclined to think
  • incline toward the view
  • steep incline
  • gentle incline

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'inclinare', from 'in-' (toward) + 'clinare' (to lean, bend). The original physical meaning — to bend or lean — entered English through French in the 14th century. The mental sense (to be disposed toward an opinion) developed in the 15th century, using the same image of leaning in a particular direction. The noun form emerged in the 16th century to describe a sloping surface or a tendency of character.