inclinations

IPA/ɪŋklɪnˈeɪʃənz/
KK[ˌɪnklənˈeʃənz]IPA/ˌɪnklənˈeɪʃənz/

inclinations — noun

1. the preferences or natural tendencies that make someone more likely to choose, e

1.nounC1
Definition

the preferences or natural tendencies that make someone more likely to choose, enjoy, or move toward certain things

Example

Tamar's artistic inclinations grew stronger after weekends at the pottery studio.

inclinations toward a kind of activity

Christopher showed no inclinations to leave the family farm for city work.

inclinations to + verb

Common collocations
  • artistic inclinations
  • natural inclinations
  • inclinations to + verb
  • inclinations toward + noun
Synonyms
  • preferences

    more everyday and more direct about what someone likes better

  • tendencies

    broader and often describes repeated behavior, not just taste

  • leanings

    slightly informal and often used for opinions or politics

  • disposition

    more formal and often about someone's general character

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

have inclinations to do something

show inclinations toward something

natural inclinations toward + noun

Usage Note

This sense is often used in the plural when talking about a person's tastes or natural preferences. Inclinations to + verb usually points to possible actions, while inclinations toward + noun points to a subject, style, or attitude.

Common Mistakes

He has strong inclinations for music.
He has strong inclinations toward music.
Use 'toward' with a noun, and use 'to' before a verb.

2. small downward movements, especially slight bows of the head or body

2.nounC2
Definition

small downward movements, especially slight bows of the head or body

Example

The dancers ended the song with slow inclinations of their heads.

inclinations of the head

At the temple gate, visitors made brief inclinations before entering.

make inclinations in formal description

Common collocations
  • slight inclinations
  • inclinations of the head
  • make inclinations
Synonyms
  • bows

    more common and can describe a fuller movement of the body

  • nods

    more everyday and usually smaller than a bow

  • dips

    focuses on a brief lowering movement

Grammar Patterns

inclinations of the head

make slight inclinations

answer with an inclination

Usage Note

This sense is mostly found in formal or literary writing that describes bows or respectful body movement. In everyday English, people usually say nods or slight bows instead.

3. the angles or degrees of slope of lines, surfaces, or other objects

3.nounC2
Definition

the angles or degrees of slope of lines, surfaces, or other objects

Example

Engineers checked the inclinations of the bridge cables after the storm.

measure inclinations of a structure

The map marks the inclinations of the vineyard hills with red contour lines.

Common collocations
  • measure inclinations
  • steep inclinations
  • inclinations of a surface
Synonyms
  • slopes

    more everyday and often used for roads, hills, or sides

  • angles

    broader and can describe shapes or positions, not only sloping surfaces

  • slants

    often suggests a visible tilt rather than a measured degree

Antonyms
  • levelness

    describes the state of being flat or even

Grammar Patterns

measure inclinations

inclinations of a surface

compare inclinations of two ramps

Usage Note

This sense is mainly used in formal, technical, or written description of slopes. In everyday speech, slope or angle is usually more natural.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Inclinations is more formal than preference and usually suggests a natural pull rather than a simple choice. Preference is the everyday word when someone clearly likes one option better than another. Tendency often focuses on repeated behavior or what usually happens, so it can sound less personal than inclinations. Leaning is slightly informal and is especially common for opinions or politics. Disposition is more formal still and often describes someone's general character instead of one area of taste. A student may have musical inclinations, a tendency to arrive early, a political leaning, and a calm disposition.

preference ↗tendency ↗leaning ↗disposition ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • have inclinations to + verb
  • inclinations toward + noun
  • inclinations of the head
  • measure inclinations of a surface

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Inclinations is the plural form of inclination. Inclination came into English through French from a Latin verb meaning 'to bend' or 'to lean'. The physical idea of leaning later developed into figurative meanings about being mentally drawn toward something, as well as literal meanings about bows and slopes.