Word
declining
Phoneticsde·clin·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈkɫaɪnɪŋ/
UK/dɪklˈaɪnɪŋ/
In Japanese
declining; refusal; nonacceptance
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. All sources.
Definitions
01becoming less
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. becoming smaller, fewer, or less successful over time.
v. gradually decreasing in number, quality, or importance. Often used in continuous tenses to describe a current trend.
“The number of people living in the village has been declining for years.”
“The manufacturing sector has been declining steadily since the late nineties, leading to significant economic shifts in the northern provinces.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02saying no
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. politely refusing an offer, invitation, or request.
v. politely refusing to accept or do something. This sense is more formal than 'refusing' or 'saying no'.
“She is declining the job offer because she wants to stay in her current city.”
“By declining the invitation to the gala, the ambassador sent a subtle but clear message of disapproval regarding the new policy.”
Antonyms
03a downward trend
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the process of becoming weaker or less important.
n. the process of gradual deterioration or a downward trend in strength, health, or value.
“The declining of his health was a worry for the whole family.”
“The rapid declining of the currency's value forced the central bank to intervene with emergency measures.”
Synonyms
04getting smaller or weaker
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
adj. used to describe something that is currently losing value or power.
adj. describing a state of gradual reduction or deterioration; typically placed before a noun.
“The company is struggling to survive in a declining market.”
“The declining birth rate has prompted the government to reconsider its long-term social security and pension strategies.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Instead of declining smoothly, its total energy output flattened for about 20 days—the first time this kind of extended plateau has been seen in one of these X-ray flash supernovae.” “Declining a vaccination is linked to an increased risk of developing the illness the vaccine is designed to prevent.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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