inclination
/ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-klə-ˈnā-shən ˌiŋ-/ (ame, mw)
inclination — noun
- inclinationsingular
- inclinationsplural
1. An inner pull or leaning that makes you likely to choose one action over another
An inner pull or leaning that makes you likely to choose one action over another, coming from your personality rather than from outside pressure.
Nadia had a strong inclination to help anyone who looked lost in the station.
inclination + to-infinitive for a personal impulse
Boris felt no inclination to join the loud debate at the dinner table.
Yuki's first inclination was to say no, but she changed her mind.
Ibrahim followed his teacher's inclination to pause and explain the difficult part again.
Rosa acted against her natural inclination and agreed to speak before the whole school.
- tendency
broader; can describe patterns in inanimate things too (a tendency to rust), while inclination is personal
- propensity
more formal; often suggests an undesirable habit (a propensity for violence)
- leaning
softer and more intellectual — a gentle pull toward ideas or philosophies rather than actions
- disposition
refers to overall temperament or character, not a specific urge to act
- disinclination
a lack of willingness or a feeling of reluctance to do something
文法句型
inclination + to-infinitive
inclination + toward(s) + noun
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a to-infinitive (an inclination to do something). The preposition 'toward(s)' can also introduce a general area of interest: an inclination toward music. Distinguish from sense 2 (a physical nod) and sense 3 (a slope angle).
常見錯誤
2. A slight bending or dipping motion, especially a lowering of the head — like a b
A slight bending or dipping motion, especially a lowering of the head — like a brief, formal nod.
Andre gave a quick inclination of the head when the waiter approached.
inclination of the head — a formal way to describe a nod
Amara signalled with a slight inclination of the head that the meeting could begin.
slight inclination — a small, subtle head movement
The old professor answered each student's greeting with a gentle inclination.
Diego noticed the judge's slight inclination and knew his request was granted.
A slow inclination of the head was the only reply Chitra received.
文法句型
inclination of the head
give + inclination
with a + inclination
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'of the head' or 'of the body'. The phrase 'an inclination of the head' is more formal than 'a nod'. Distinguish from sense 1 (a mental tendency).
常見錯誤
3. The amount by which a surface or line tilts away from being perfectly flat or up
The amount by which a surface or line tilts away from being perfectly flat or upright — the slope of a roof, the lean of a hillside, or the grade of a ramp.
The roof had a steep inclination that sent the rain rushing into the gutters.
steep inclination — describing the slope of a surface
Fatima measured the inclination of the ramp before the wheelchair was brought in.
measure the inclination — technical use for calculating slope angle
The garden path followed the natural inclination of the hillside.
Emeka adjusted the satellite dish until its inclination matched the printed guide.
The surveyor's report showed that the inclination of the road was unsafe.
文法句型
inclination of + surface/roof/hill
measure the inclination
steep/gentle inclination
用法筆記
Used in technical or formal descriptions of slopes, angles, and gradients. In everyday speech, 'slope' or 'slant' is more common. Distinguish from sense 1 (a mental tendency) and sense 2 (a nod of the head).