What does inclination mean?
Inclination usually means a person's natural tendency or preference, as in “an inclination to question authority.” It implies a leaning toward a particular attitude, choice, or course of action without implying that the person is acting under compulsion. The word can also refer to a slight bow or nod of the head, especially during a formal greeting, and to the slope of a road or surface. Its historical association with bending and leaning makes it useful when describing both physical posture and mental disposition. In general writing, “inclination” is more formal than a simple “tendency” or “preference,” while remaining natural in discussions of character, opinion, and behavior.
A natural tendency, preference, or disposition toward a particular action, attitude, or outcome.
"He had an inclination to travel by train whenever possible."
Commonly used in formal and semi-formal prose; it is less common in casual speech than “preference” or “tendency.”
A slight bending or movement of the head or body, especially as a greeting, acknowledgment, or sign of agreement.
"He acknowledged the introduction with a slight inclination of his head."
This sense is formal and often appears in descriptions of ceremonies, greetings, or formal gestures.
A slope, gradient, or angle formed by a surface or route.
"The path follows a steep inclination through the hills."
This is a technical or formal geographical and physical description.
Used for multiple preferences, tendencies, slopes, or bodily inclinations.
"Her inclinations were toward a quiet life in the countryside."
Inclination originally meant a physical bending, so the idea of a person's “leaning” eventually came to describe both preference and predisposition.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does inclination come from?
Inclination comes through French from Latin inclinatio, a noun meaning “a leaning” or “a bending,” derived from inclinare, “to lean” or “incline.” The Latin root is also the source of English words such as incline, recline, and decline. Over time, the word’s physical sense of bending developed into the modern sense of a personal preference or natural tendency.
Related word forms
How inclination is actually used
In its most common sense, inclination is formal but neutral and often suggests a stable preference or tendency rather than a sudden impulse. In physical contexts, it describes a slope or a formal gesture of the head.