decline
decline Lexical Profile
decline Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A gradual and continuous loss of strength, numbers, quality, or value.
"The town experienced a sharp economic decline after the local factory closed."
A downward slope or gradient, such as a hillside or road.
"The cyclists picked up considerable speed as they coasted down the steep decline."
• verb
To become smaller, fewer, or less; to decrease or deteriorate in strength, quality, or importance.
"Voter turnout has steadily declined over the past two decades."
To politely refuse or turn down an invitation, offer, or request.
"She declined the job offer because it required relocating to another country."
To slope downward or descend, especially of the sun or a celestial body moving toward setting.
"As the sun began to decline toward the western horizon, the desert air cooled rapidly."
To state the inflected forms of a noun, pronoun, or adjective according to case, number, and gender (in grammar).
"In introductory Latin class, students learn how to decline nouns across five distinct declensions."
• Rhymes for decline
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French 'decliner', from Latin 'declinare' ('to bend aside, turn away, or inflect'), formed from 'de-' ('down, away') and 'clinare' ('to lean or bend').