What does incline mean?
Incline has two related but distinct uses. As a verb, it can describe a slope or a change in position away from the vertical: a road may incline sharply, or a person may incline their head in thought. It can also mean to influence a person's attitude, as in 'The evidence inclined the jury to doubt the witness,' or to express a leaning, as in 'She is inclined to agree.' As a noun, an incline is a slope or sloping piece of ground, such as a steep incline. The word can additionally denote a tendency or disposition, although 'inclination' is often more natural for this abstract sense. The term is formal in some uses but remains common in both British and American English. Its history reflects the original physical meaning: Latin inclinare meant 'to bend toward,' connecting the movement of a sloping surface with a mind that turns or leans toward an opinion.
To bend, slope, or move away from a vertical position; also, to make someone more willing to adopt a course of action or to show a leaning toward it.
"The judge inclined to accept the explanation, but the lawyers asked for more time."
The phrase 'incline someone to do something' is commonly used in formal contexts. 'Be inclined to' expresses a general willingness or preference.
A slope, rising or falling ground, or a personal tendency or preference.
"They climbed the steep incline while the sun set behind the hills."
In the abstract sense, 'inclination' is generally more common in contemporary usage.
Usually plural when referring to multiple slopes or slopes in a landscape; rarely used in the abstract sense of tendencies.
"The footpath follows a series of inclines through the forest."
Incline comes from Latin inclinare, literally 'to bend toward'—the same idea behind a physical slope and a person's leaning preference.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does incline come from?
Incline comes from Latin inclinare, formed from the prefix in- and a word meaning 'to bend,' meaning literally 'to bend toward.' The English verb developed both physical senses, such as bending or sloping, and figurative senses involving preference or persuasion. Related Latin and English forms include decline, recline, declination, and procline, all reflecting the same ancient root.
Related word forms
How incline is actually used
The verb is standard in British and American English. The construction 'incline someone to do something' is especially common in formal writing, while 'be inclined to' is widely used in ordinary speech and writing.
Easily confused with incline
Incline means to slope or to influence someone's preference, whereas include means to contain or incorporate something.