inflect

verb

in·​flect in-ˈflekt 

inflected; inflecting; inflects

transitive verb

1

: to vary (a word) by inflection : decline, conjugate

2

: to change or vary the pitch of

inflect one's voice

3

: to affect or alter noticeably : influence

an approach inflected by feminism

4

: to turn from a direct line or course : curve

intransitive verb

: to become modified by inflection

inflectable

in-ˈflek-tə-bəl 

adjective

inflective

in-ˈflek-tiv 

adjective

Examples of inflect in a Sentence

Most nouns in English are inflected for plural use by adding “-s” or “-es.”

Most nouns in English inflect for plural use by adding “-s” or “-es.”

Most adjectives in English do not inflect for gender or number.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Company expects a positive contribution from price throughout the year, with volumes inflecting positive in the second half of the year. —John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Those stereotypes inflect, word by word, what the model says. —Jonathan L. Zittrain, The Atlantic, 21 May 2025

Pakistani military also claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets and inflected heavy losses on Indian military installations by targeting 26 locations in India. —Rajesh Roy, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025

Sometimes, their previous appointments inflect in some delightful opposite couple style moments. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inflectere, from in- + flectere to bend

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Rhymes for inflect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect

Kids Definition

inflect

verb

in·​flect in-ˈflekt 

1

: to change a word by inflection

2

: to change the pitch of the voice