What does inclined mean?
Inclined is an adjective with two main uses. In its most common sense it describes someone who has a tendency, preference, or willingness to act or think in a certain way, as in 'I am inclined to believe her.' Used this way it is gentle and tentative, suggesting a leaning rather than a firm decision, which makes it a polite way to express an opinion or reluctance. It can also describe natural aptitude or interest, as in 'musically inclined', meaning someone with a talent or taste for music. In a physical sense, inclined means sloping or set at an angle, as in an inclined plane, a ramp or slope used in physics to study motion and force. The word is also the past participle of the verb 'incline'. Because it joins a mental sense of leaning with a literal one, it is a good example of how English often describes attitudes through images of physical position.
adjectiveHaving a tendency, disposition, or preference toward a particular action or attitude; also, sloping or set at an angle from the horizontal or vertical.
- Having a tendency or willingness to do something; disposed.
- Having a natural talent or interest in a particular field.
- Sloping or slanting; set at an angle to the horizontal or vertical.
- Tilted or bent forward or downward (of the head or body).
"Having heard both sides, the judge was inclined to show leniency."
"I'm inclined to agree with you, though I'd like to see the figures first."
"The path ran up an inclined slope toward the old watchtower."
The word 'inclined' comes from a Latin verb meaning 'to lean', so a person who is inclined to do something is literally leaning toward it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does inclined come from?
Inclined is the past participle of the verb incline, which entered English in the Middle Ages through Old French encliner, from Latin inclināre, formed from in- ('toward') and a root meaning 'to lean'. That root is shared by decline and recline, and is related to Greek klinein ('to lean'), the source of clinic. The adjective use developed from the participle, with the meaning of a mental leaning appearing alongside the physical sense of sloping.
Related word forms
How inclined is actually used
In the sense of disposition, 'inclined' is mildly formal and often softens a statement, making an opinion or intention sound tentative or polite. It is usually followed by 'to' plus a verb, and it implies a leaning or tendency rather than a firm commitment. The literal sense of slope is more technical and common in physics and engineering. It is also the past participle of the verb 'incline'.
Easily confused with inclined
Inclined means leaning or disposed toward something, whereas enclosed means surrounded or shut in on all sides.
Inclined means disposed toward something, whereas declined means refused or decreased.