verb

decline

dih-KLYN

verb

To become weaker, smaller, or worse over time.

"His health declined rapidly after the diagnosis."

"Sales have declined steadily over the past year."

To politely refuse an offer or invitation.

"She declined the invitation to the gala."

noun

A gradual decrease or worsening.

"The company's decline began after new competitors entered the market."

How to Use Decline

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo get worse or smaller (a decline in sales), or to politely say no to something (decline an invitation).

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "recline" (to lean back) — both share the "-cline" root meaning "to bend," but they mean very different things.

Easily confused with

recline

Common pairings

decline an offer in decline decline steadily economic decline

Word Forms

declined past tense, declines plural, decline plural, declined plural, declines singular, decline singular, declined singular, declinest singular, declinedst singular, declineth singular

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His health _____ rapidly after the diagnosis.

Etymology

From Latin declinare, "to bend away, turn aside" — from de- ("down") + clinare ("to bend"), the same root found in "incline" and "recline."

Antonyms

incline

Related Words

dispose incline tilt

Rhymes for decline

nine mine wine line sine dine fine vine pine tine Eine thine

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