Inclination Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

1

:

a feeling of wanting to do something

:

a tendency to do something

[noncount]

• She shows no/little inclination to give in to their demands.
• He's a loner by inclination.

[count]

• My first/initial/natural inclination was to say no, but I finally decided to do what she asked.
• We can either go now or plan to go later. What's your inclination? [=what are you inclined to do?; what do you want to do?]
• I have neither the time nor the inclination to learn about such matters.
• a person with artistic inclinations [=a person who wants to do artistic things]
• Her natural inclination [=_tendency_] is to do what other people are doing.
• The door has an inclination to stick. [=the door often sticks; the door tends to stick]
• He has an inclination to brag. = He has an inclination towards bragging.

— opposite disinclination

3

[count]

:

the act of bending your head or body forward

:

the act of inclining your head or body

• He acknowledged us with a slight inclination [=(more commonly) _nod_] of his head.