incline
gb/ˈɪŋklaɪn/ us/ˈɪŋklaɪn/
B2
English
~ 8300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
having a tendency or willingness
Having a feeling that you want to do something, or that something is probably true, but not very strongly.
Usage pattern:
to be inclined to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners often say *'I am incline to...' instead of 'I am inclined to...'; remember the -ed ending because it functions like an adjective. Another mistake is using 'inclined' without 'to', as in *'I am inclined travel'; it should be 'I am inclined to travel'.
Synonyms
prone (Often used for negative tendencies (e.g., 'prone to mistakes'), while 'inclined' can be neutral or positive.)
Antonyms
disinclined (Shows a lack of desire or willingness to do something, the opposite attitude of being inclined.)
Collocations
be inclined to agree
|be inclined to think
|be inclined to believe
|feel inclined to
|not inclined to
|politically inclined
Themes
attitudes
|communication
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I’m inclined to agree with your conclusion.
- She’s not inclined to talk about her private life.
- After such a long day, no one felt inclined to cook.
- He’s more scientifically inclined than his older brother.
- I’m inclined to believe that the problem is in the software, not the hardware.
Learner examples
- I am inclined to say yes.
- She is not inclined to go out tonight.
- He feels inclined to help his friend.
- They are politically inclined and talk about news a lot.
- I am inclined to think this is a bad idea.
Verb
formal
C1
state
2
tend toward a view or action
To move in your mind toward one idea or plan more than others.
Usage pattern:
to incline toward [opinion or course of action]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes incorrectly use the progressive form for this sense, e.g. *'I am inclining to the view that...'; in modern English, it is normally used in simple forms: 'I incline to the view that...'. They also confuse it with 'be inclined to', which is adjectival and more common: 'I am inclined to think...' (adjective) vs. 'I incline to the view that...' (verb).
Synonyms
tend (Slightly more common and less formal; 'incline' often sounds more careful or thoughtful.)
Antonyms
oppose (To actively be against an opinion or course of action instead of tending toward it.)
Collocations
incline toward
|incline to agree
|incline to the view that
|incline in favor of
|incline toward compromise
Themes
communication
|thought
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I incline to the view that stricter rules are necessary.
- Many economists now incline toward a more cautious approach.
- As the discussion continued, the committee began to incline in favor of the second proposal.
- On balance, I incline to support the new policy.
- Scholars generally incline to interpret the data in a different way.
Learner examples
- I incline to the view that we need more time.
- Most of them incline toward a peaceful solution.
- After hearing both sides, I incline to support her plan.
- Experts now incline in favor of stronger laws.
- People often incline to believe what they read online.
Verb
B2
action
3
lean or make something lean
To move so that you or something is not straight up or flat, but at an angle; or to move something into that position.
Usage pattern:
to incline [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'recline', which usually means to lean or lie back in a relaxed way. 'Incline' does not always mean relaxing; it just means leaning or sloping at an angle.
Synonyms
tilt (Very common in everyday English; 'incline' can sound a bit more formal or descriptive.)
Antonyms
straighten (Means to make something upright or flat again, removing the incline.)
Collocations
incline one's head
|incline the seat
|incline the backrest
|floor inclines gently
|path inclines upward
Themes
movement
|physical_world
|space
|body
Examples
- She inclined her head politely as he entered the room.
- The path inclines gently as you approach the village.
- He inclined the chair so that the child could lie back comfortably.
- The ramp inclines too sharply for wheelchair users.
- The photographer asked him to incline his face slightly toward the light.
Learner examples
- She inclined her head to say yes.
- The road inclines as you go up the hill.
- He inclined the seat so the baby could sleep.
- The ramp inclines slowly, so it is easy to walk up.
- Please incline your chair a little bit.
Noun
B2
entity
4
a rising or sloping surface
A part of the ground, road, or another surface that goes up, not flat.
Usage pattern:
to walk up/down an incline
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'incline' where 'inclination' is needed, e.g. *'The road has a strong incline'; it is more natural to say 'a steep incline' or 'a strong inclination' only when talking about an angle or a tendency.
Synonyms
slope ('Slope' is more common and general; 'incline' often sounds slightly more technical or descriptive.)
Antonyms
flat (Describes a level surface without any incline.)
Collocations
steep incline
|gentle incline
|walk up the incline
|run on an incline
|at an incline
Themes
transport
|geography
|sports
|space
|travel
Examples
- The final stretch of the path is a steep incline up to the castle.
- Running on an incline is good training for your legs.
- The truck struggled to pull its load up the long incline.
- Cyclists slowed as they reached the incline before the finish line.
- They parked on a slight incline and used the handbrake.
Learner examples
- The car stopped on a steep incline.
- We walked up a long incline to the house.
- Running on an incline is harder than on flat ground.
- The bike is hard to push up the incline.
- There is a small incline at the end of the road.
Verb
formal
C1
action
5
make someone more likely to do something
To affect someone so that they want to do something or believe something more than before.
Usage pattern:
to incline [someone] to [verb or belief]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the reflexive or adjectival use and say *'I am inclined her to help'; the correct pattern is 'Her actions inclined me to help' (verb affecting another person) or 'I am inclined to help' (adjective describing your own tendency).
Synonyms
persuade (Usually suggests more active effort; 'incline' can suggest a gentler or indirect influence.)
Antonyms
deter (Means to discourage or prevent someone from doing something, the opposite effect of 'incline'.)
Collocations
incline someone to
|incline someone toward
|circumstances incline us to
|evidence inclines me to believe
Themes
psychology
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her honesty inclined me to trust her.
- The evidence so far inclines us to believe that the error was accidental.
- His calm manner inclined the audience to listen carefully.
- Economic pressures may incline voters toward more radical options.
- Past experience inclines me to be cautious in situations like this.
Learner examples
- Her kindness inclined me to help her.
- This story inclines me to believe he is innocent.
- His words inclined the team to try again.
- Bad memories incline her to stay at home.
- These facts incline us to think the plan will fail.
Grammar
Dictionary form
incline
IPA
GB/ˈɪŋklaɪn/
US/ˈɪŋklaɪn/
Syllables & stress
in - cline (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: incline
- Plural: inclines
Verb
- Base: incline
- 3rd Person Singular: inclines
- Present Participle: inclining
- Past: inclined
Word family
Forms
inclines
noun
inclining
verb
inclined
verb
Core family
inclination
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
disinclined
adjective
disinclination
noun
uninclined
adjective
Expressions
be inclined to [noun/adjective]
1/bˈi ɪŋklˈaɪnd tə nˈaʊnəd͡ʒˈɛktɪv/
fixed phrase
have a tendency or interest
To have a natural interest in, or connection with, a type of thing, or to show a certain quality.
Examples
- He’s artistically inclined and spends hours drawing.
- She’s not technically inclined, so she avoids fixing devices herself.
- Many students are more theoretically inclined than practically inclined.
be inclined to [verb]
1/bˈi ɪŋklˈaɪnd tə vˈɚb/
fixed phrase
tend or be willing to do something
To often do something, or to want to do it, but not very strongly; used with another verb after 'to'.
Examples
- I’m inclined to agree with you about the budget cuts.
- People are often inclined to blame others instead of themselves.
- After hearing his story, I’m inclined to give him another chance.
feel inclined to [verb]
1/fˈil ɪŋklˈaɪnd tə vˈɚb/
fixed phrase
have a slight desire to do something
To want to do something a little, but not strongly; often used for polite or hesitant decisions.
Examples
- I don’t feel inclined to go out tonight.
- If you feel inclined to help, please let us know.
- No one felt inclined to cook after the long meeting.
incline to the view that
1/ˈɪŋklaɪn tə ðə vjˈu ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
formal
tend toward a particular belief
To be more ready to believe one explanation or opinion than others; used in careful or formal speech and writing.
Examples
- I incline to the view that the report is incomplete.
- Many historians now incline to the view that the war could have been avoided.
incline toward [something]
1/ˈɪŋklaɪn təwˈɔɹd sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
formal
tend toward an option or view
To prefer or choose one thing, idea, or side more than another, especially in careful thinking or discussion.
Examples
- Given the risks, I incline toward a more conservative investment.
- Judges generally incline toward leniency in first-offense cases.
- Public opinion appears to incline toward change.
inclined plane
1/ɪŋklˈaɪnd plˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
technical
sloping surface used as a simple machine
In physics, a flat surface that is at an angle and is used to move something heavy up or down more easily, like a ramp.
Examples
- In science class we learned how an inclined plane reduces the force needed to lift an object.
- A ramp is a common example of an inclined plane.
on an incline
1/ˈɔn ən ˈɪŋklaɪn/
fixed phrase
on a sloping surface
On ground, a road, or another surface that goes up and is not flat.
Examples
- Parking on an incline requires you to use the handbrake.
- Running on an incline is harder than running on a flat surface.