noun
Uncommon
inclination
ihn-klih-NAY-shuhn
Inclination (noun) means a tendency or preference to think or act in a certain way. Example: “She had no inclination to argue about it any further.”
noun
1
A tendency or preference to think or act in a certain way.
"She had no inclination to argue about it any further."
"His natural inclination is to help, even when it isn't asked for."
2
A slope, tilt, or angle away from the horizontal or vertical.
"The road has a steep inclination as it climbs the hill."
How to use inclination
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA leaning — either a tendency to feel or act a certain way, or a physical slope.
Common pairings
no inclination to
natural inclination
angle of inclination
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Word forms
- Plural
- inclinations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She had no _____ to argue about it any further.
Etymology
From Old French inclination and Latin inclinatio, from inclinare, "to bend or lean" — the same root as "incline" and "lean."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inclination
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for inclination →
Frequently asked questions
What does “inclination” mean?
The word “inclination” means a tendency or preference to think or act in a certain way. In plain terms, a leaning — either a tendency to feel or act a certain way, or a physical slope.
How do you pronounce “inclination”?
“Inclination” is pronounced ihn-klih-NAY-shuhn (/ˌɪn.klɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “inclination” in a sentence?
Here is “inclination” used in a sentence: “She had no inclination to argue about it any further.”
What part of speech is “inclination”?
“Inclination” is a noun.
Where does the word “inclination” come from?
The word “inclination” comes from Latin. From Old French inclination and Latin inclinatio, from inclinare, "to bend or lean" — the same root as "incline" and "lean.".
Is “inclination” a common word?
“Inclination” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “inclination” have?
“Inclination” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tendency or preference to think or act in a certain way.
