slope
slohp
Slope (noun) means a stretch of ground that rises or falls at an angle; or the steepness of any such surface or line. Example: “The cows grazed on the grassy slope behind the farm.”
noun
1
A stretch of ground that rises or falls at an angle; or the steepness of any such surface or line.
"The cows grazed on the grassy slope behind the farm."
"The skiers headed down the steepest slope on the mountain."
"The slope of the roof lets rain drain off quickly."
verb
1
To rise or fall at a steady angle.
"The road slopes upwards just past the church."
"Our field slopes steeply, so the water runs off quickly."
"The garden slopes gently down toward the river."
How to use slope
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA surface, line, or piece of ground that goes up or down at an angle — also the math term for how steep a line is.
Common mistake
As a noun for a person of East Asian descent, this word is a slur and should be avoided entirely.
Common pairings
ski slope
steep slope
slope of a line
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like slope.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- slopes
- Third person singular
- slopes
- Past tense
- sloped
- Comparative
- more slope
- Superlative
- most slope
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cows grazed on the grassy _____ behind the farm.
Etymology
Derived from the older adjective/adverb "aslope," meaning "in a slanted direction."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for slope
See all rhymes for slope →Frequently asked questions
What does “slope” mean?
The word “slope” means a stretch of ground that rises or falls at an angle; or the steepness of any such surface or line. In plain terms, a surface, line, or piece of ground that goes up or down at an angle — also the math term for how steep a line is.
How do you pronounce “slope”?
“Slope” is pronounced slohp (/sloʊp/ in IPA).
How do you use “slope” in a sentence?
Here is “slope” used in a sentence: “The skiers headed down the steepest slope on the mountain.”
What is another word for “slope”?
Words with a similar meaning to “slope” include first derivative, gradient, Chinaman, cant, elevation and grade.
What part of speech is “slope”?
Depending on how it is used, “slope” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “slope” a common word?
“Slope” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “slope” have?
“Slope” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a stretch of ground that rises or falls at an angle; or the steepness of any such surface or line.
What is the difference between slope and gradient?
Slope and gradient both describe the steepness of a surface or line and are often interchangeable. In technical and mathematical contexts, gradient tends to be the more formal term, while slope is the more everyday word.
What is the difference between a slope and a hill?
A slope is any stretch of ground that rises or falls at an angle, or the angle of steepness itself. A hill is a raised landform, which has slopes on its sides. A slope is a surface, whereas a hill is the whole feature.
How do you calculate the slope of a line?
In mathematics, the slope of a straight line is the change in vertical distance divided by the change in horizontal distance, often summarized as "rise over run." A steeper line has a greater slope.
What is the difference between an upward and a downward slope?
An upward slope rises as it moves in a given direction, while a downward slope falls. The word slope itself is neutral and simply describes ground or a line set at an angle, whether ascending or descending.
