inclination

noun

in·​cli·​na·​tion ˌin-klə-ˈnā-shən 

ˌiŋ-

1

: a tendency to a particular aspect, state, character, or action

the clutch has an inclination to slip

2

a

: a deviation from the true vertical or horizontal : slant

also : the degree of such deviation

b

: an inclined surface : slope

c(1)

: the angle determined by two lines or planes

(2)

: the angle made by a line with the x-axis measured counterclockwise from the positive direction of that axis

3

: an act or the action of bending or inclining: such as

a

: bow, nod

b

: a tilting of something

4

a

: a particular disposition of mind or character : propensity

especially : liking

had little inclination for housekeeping

b

obsolete : natural disposition : character

inclinational

ˌin-klə-ˈnā-sh(ə-)nəl 

ˌiŋ-

adjective

Synonyms

• tendency
• aptitude
• devices
• affinity

Examples of inclination in a Sentence

She shows no inclination to give in to their demands.

He's a loner by inclination.

My first inclination was to say no, but I finally decided to do what she asked.

I have neither the time nor the inclination to learn about such matters.

Recent Examples on the Web

Martone’s positive inclination is also backed by the quality and attention to detail ICR offers, aspects that not only enabled the company to be the first cosmetics firm in Italy to be certified for its quality in 1996, but are embedded in his family roots. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 5 Aug. 2025

Diamandis told me that our hardwired inclinations toward selfishness did trouble him sometimes, in the middle of the night. —Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025

In the last five years, Microsoft’s stock has displayed a slight inclination towards negative one-day returns following earnings announcements. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025

Artificial intelligence models can secretly transmit dangerous inclinations to one another like a contagion, a recent study found. —Angela Yang, NBC news, 29 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4b

Rhymes for inclination

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

inclination

noun

in·​cli·​na·​tion ˌin-klə-ˈnā-shən 

iŋ-

1

: a feeling of liking or of wanting to do something

an inclination for sleeping late

2

: an act or the action of bending or tilting

3

: a departure from the true vertical or horizontal : slant

the inclination of the earth's axis

also : the amount of such departure

b

: an inclined surface : slope

4

: a quality which leads to some state or action

the door has an inclination to stick

inclinational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

inclination

noun

in·​cli·​na·​tion ˌin-klə-ˈnā-shən, ˌiŋ- 

: a deviation from the true vertical or horizontal

especially : the deviation of the long axis of a tooth or of the slope of a cusp from the vertical