Inclination
noun
A person's natural tendency or desire to act or feel in a particular way.
John has an inclination for natural sciences.
Often appears as...
- have an inclination
- natural inclination
noun
An angle or slope.
Calculating the inclination of a plane is important for designing runways.
Often appears as...
- degree of inclination
- angle of inclination
Usage tips
Technical
noun
An advance or clearing of doubt.
The inclination of the mind is produced by understanding the subject matter.
Often appears as...
- cognitive inclination
- intellectual inclination
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
Relationship between two lines in space.
In trigonometry, we often study the inclination between two lines.
Often appears as...
- calculate inclination
- measure inclination
Usage tips
Technical
noun
Orientation or direction of orbit.
The inclination of a planet's orbit can determine its seasonal changes.
Often appears as...
- orbital inclination
- measure of inclination
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A person's natural tendency or desire to act or feel in a particular way.
John has an inclination for natural sciences.
Often appears as...
- have an inclination
- natural inclination
noun
An angle or slope.
Calculating the inclination of a plane is important for designing runways.
Often appears as...
- degree of inclination
- angle of inclination
Usage tips
Technical
noun
An advance or clearing of doubt.
The inclination of the mind is produced by understanding the subject matter.
Often appears as...
- cognitive inclination
- intellectual inclination
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
Relationship between two lines in space.
In trigonometry, we often study the inclination between two lines.
Often appears as...
- calculate inclination
- measure inclination
Usage tips
Technical
noun
Orientation or direction of orbit.
The inclination of a planet's orbit can determine its seasonal changes.
Often appears as...
- orbital inclination
- measure of inclination
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/3Personal Preference
Use 'inclination' to express a preference someone has without external pressure.
She showed a strong inclination towards vegetarianism on her own.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Nudge
The word often suggests a gentle persuasion or a leaning towards something, not a commitment.
Even as a child, he had an inclination to help others.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Action
Inclination doesn't mean the person will definitely act, but they have a leaning towards it.
Despite my inclination to sleep in, I got up early for work.
Pro Tip 1/3Personal Preference
Use 'inclination' to express a preference someone has without external pressure.
She showed a strong inclination towards vegetarianism on her own.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Nudge
The word often suggests a gentle persuasion or a leaning towards something, not a commitment.
Even as a child, he had an inclination to help others.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Action
Inclination doesn't mean the person will definitely act, but they have a leaning towards it.
Despite my inclination to sleep in, I got up early for work.
Pro Tip 1/3Personal Preference
Use 'inclination' to express a preference someone has without external pressure.
She showed a strong inclination towards vegetarianism on her own.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Nudge
The word often suggests a gentle persuasion or a leaning towards something, not a commitment.
Even as a child, he had an inclination to help others.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Action
Inclination doesn't mean the person will definitely act, but they have a leaning towards it.
Despite my inclination to sleep in, I got up early for work.
Compare with
bentdispositionleanpenchantpredilectionpredispositionproclivitypropensitytendency
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Video examples
How can you change...
may seem like a simple formula for finding agreement and consensus. The problem is that our initial inclination is to think of arguments that rely on our own beliefs, trusted sources, and values. And even when we don’t, it can be challenging to correctly identify what’s held dear
Video examples
The US is back in the...
that don't have as many resources, and why is this so important for the world to move forward? Let me answer the last part first. It's so important because it's the only way we're going to get there. I don't believe that any government has either the money or the inclination
Video examples
Why do people join...
Some play on our natural inclination to mimic social behaviors or follow orders. Other methods may be more intense using techniques of coercive persuasion involving guilt, shame, and fear. And in many cases, members may willingly submit out of desire to belong
Video examples
3 ways businesses can...
He said this was important because sex trafficking spikes with big sporting events and with conventions. And the billboards would help to raise awareness. Now, if I'm being honest with you, my first inclination was to politely decline.
Video examples
Modern Lives, Ancient...
followers of william penn have arrived in the new world from england looking for religious freedom once here on the banks of the delaware river they create homes out of the earth itself in caves settlers their inclination was to build
Video examples
How did clouds get their...
and go on to change humanity's understanding of the skies. Luke Howard was a pharmacist by profession, but he was a meteorologist by inclination, having been obsessed by clouds and weather since childhood.
Video examples
The psychological traits...
scientific discovery. Think of things like space travel or cures for diseases or art that imagines and reimagines a better world. And those conservative inclinations towards vigilance and security
Video examples
The guardian of the...
this man who had no mountaineering experience and no early inclination for such a life become the father of Yosemite well rather than lament his fate as a failed businessman
Video examples
Science of Evil PIPE...
that she was attacked while hiking and asked you to take her to a nearby hospital our initial inclination is to help this woman will probably die if she does not
Video examples
Young David Attenborough...
far from being frightened of our presence he showed little inclination to dash away through the trees but just
Video examples
How can you change...
may seem like a simple formula for finding agreement and consensus. The problem is that our initial inclination is to think of arguments that rely on our own beliefs, trusted sources, and values. And even when we don’t, it can be challenging to correctly identify what’s held dear
Video examples
The US is back in the...
that don't have as many resources, and why is this so important for the world to move forward? Let me answer the last part first. It's so important because it's the only way we're going to get there. I don't believe that any government has either the money or the inclination
Video examples
Why do people join...
Some play on our natural inclination to mimic social behaviors or follow orders. Other methods may be more intense using techniques of coercive persuasion involving guilt, shame, and fear. And in many cases, members may willingly submit out of desire to belong
Video examples
3 ways businesses can...
He said this was important because sex trafficking spikes with big sporting events and with conventions. And the billboards would help to raise awareness. Now, if I'm being honest with you, my first inclination was to politely decline.
Video examples
Modern Lives, Ancient...
followers of william penn have arrived in the new world from england looking for religious freedom once here on the banks of the delaware river they create homes out of the earth itself in caves settlers their inclination was to build
Video examples
How did clouds get their...
and go on to change humanity's understanding of the skies. Luke Howard was a pharmacist by profession, but he was a meteorologist by inclination, having been obsessed by clouds and weather since childhood.
Video examples
The psychological traits...
scientific discovery. Think of things like space travel or cures for diseases or art that imagines and reimagines a better world. And those conservative inclinations towards vigilance and security
Video examples
The guardian of the...
this man who had no mountaineering experience and no early inclination for such a life become the father of Yosemite well rather than lament his fate as a failed businessman
Video examples
Science of Evil PIPE...
that she was attacked while hiking and asked you to take her to a nearby hospital our initial inclination is to help this woman will probably die if she does not
Video examples
Young David Attenborough...
far from being frightened of our presence he showed little inclination to dash away through the trees but just
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Jiddu Krishnamurti
Indian Philosopher
We are second-hand people. We have lived on what we have been told, either guided by our inclinations, our tendencies, or compelled to accept by circumstances and environment. We are the result of all kinds of influences, and there is nothing new in us, nothing that we have discovered for ourselves: nothing original, pristine, clear.
Quote examples
Abraham Lincoln
American President
I have said a hundred times, and I have no inclination to take it back, that I believe there is no right, and ought to be no inclination in the people of the free States to enter into the slave States, and to interfere with the question of slavery at all. I have said that always.
Quote examples
Jennifer Egan
American Novelist
I grew up thinking you're either a winner in the world, or you're not. I presumed I was not. I had no reason to think I would be, and my inclination is towards self-deprecation. I wish I'd known no one was judging my every move, but I'm still like this!
Quote examples
Joan Cusack
American Actress
Mum has always been a huge anti-war activist. She would go off to protest and get arrested. I have her passion, but it is not for politics. I am much more interested in psychology. It's more my job and my natural inclination.
Quote examples
Hilary Farr
British Designer
In a small powder room, the inclination is to go with a light wall color. My trick is to do the opposite - such as a patterned wallpaper or a deep color on the walls. It's more interesting and makes a design statement.
Quote examples
Wayne Dyer
American Psychologist
The greatest service that can be offered to children who show personality traits or inclinations that might not be understood by the adults around them is to allow them to express their own unique humanity.
Quote examples
David Hume
Scottish Philosopher
There is a very remarkable inclination in human nature to bestow on external objects the same emotions which it observes in itself, and to find every where those ideas which are most present to it.
Quote examples
John Adams
American President
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.
Quote examples
Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
Indian Politician
I don't have power or money and one-sided media support or the inclination to stoop to any level for the sake of power.
Quote examples
Gary Vaynerchuk
American Businessman
My natural inclination to be improv rather than an educated character serves me well.
Quote examples
Jiddu Krishnamurti
Indian Philosopher
We are second-hand people. We have lived on what we have been told, either guided by our inclinations, our tendencies, or compelled to accept by circumstances and environment. We are the result of all kinds of influences, and there is nothing new in us, nothing that we have discovered for ourselves: nothing original, pristine, clear.
Quote examples
Abraham Lincoln
American President
I have said a hundred times, and I have no inclination to take it back, that I believe there is no right, and ought to be no inclination in the people of the free States to enter into the slave States, and to interfere with the question of slavery at all. I have said that always.
Quote examples
Jennifer Egan
American Novelist
I grew up thinking you're either a winner in the world, or you're not. I presumed I was not. I had no reason to think I would be, and my inclination is towards self-deprecation. I wish I'd known no one was judging my every move, but I'm still like this!
Quote examples
Joan Cusack
American Actress
Mum has always been a huge anti-war activist. She would go off to protest and get arrested. I have her passion, but it is not for politics. I am much more interested in psychology. It's more my job and my natural inclination.
Quote examples
Hilary Farr
British Designer
In a small powder room, the inclination is to go with a light wall color. My trick is to do the opposite - such as a patterned wallpaper or a deep color on the walls. It's more interesting and makes a design statement.
Quote examples
Wayne Dyer
American Psychologist
The greatest service that can be offered to children who show personality traits or inclinations that might not be understood by the adults around them is to allow them to express their own unique humanity.
Quote examples
David Hume
Scottish Philosopher
There is a very remarkable inclination in human nature to bestow on external objects the same emotions which it observes in itself, and to find every where those ideas which are most present to it.
Quote examples
John Adams
American President
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.
Quote examples
Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
Indian Politician
I don't have power or money and one-sided media support or the inclination to stoop to any level for the sake of power.
Quote examples
Gary Vaynerchuk
American Businessman
My natural inclination to be improv rather than an educated character serves me well.
Example 1 of 10
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