# inclination

/ˌɪnkɫəˈneɪʃən/ (US) · /ɪnklɪnˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inclination
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a feeling or tendency

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling that makes you want to behave in a certain way or do a particular thing.

For teachers: a person's natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way.

- I have no inclination to go out in this heavy rain.
- Despite his artistic inclination, he decided to pursue a degree in law to satisfy his parents' expectations of a stable career.

### 2. a slope or tilt

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a physical slope or the degree to which something tilts.

For teachers: a physical slant, slope, or the angle at which something is inclined.

- The steep inclination of the roof helps the snow slide off easily.
- The surveyor measured the inclination of the hillside to determine if the ground was stable enough for the new housing development.

### 3. orbital angle

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the angle between the orbit of a planet and another plane, like the Earth's orbit.

For teachers: the angle between the plane of an orbit and a reference plane, such as the ecliptic or celestial equator.

- The satellite was launched into an orbit with a high inclination.
- Calculating the precise orbital inclination was critical for ensuring the spacecraft could successfully intercept the asteroid's path.

## Examples

- She has a natural inclination to help others.
- Despite the high salary, his artistic inclination led him to turn down the corporate job and open a studio.
- The author's political inclination is evident throughout the text, as he consistently favors individual liberty over state intervention in every chapter.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.