inclinations
inclinations — noun
- inclinationssingular
- inclinationsesplural
1. A natural feeling that makes you want to behave, think, or choose in a particula
A natural feeling that makes you want to behave, think, or choose in a particular way; a preference or tendency that may be temporary or part of your character.
Despite her strong artistic inclinations, Mei decided to study computer science at a technical university.
strong + artistic inclinations + despite-clause conflict
The rescue dog showed an inclination to hide whenever a stranger entered the room.
inclination to + infinitive describing habitual behaviour
Omar's conservative inclinations meant he rarely supported radical policy changes at council meetings.
A growing inclination toward environmental issues became clear among younger voters during the local election.
- tendency
The most direct synonym; slightly broader and used in both casual and technical contexts.
- propensity
Stronger and more formal; suggests a deep-rooted, almost involuntary tendency.
- leaning
Often used for political, ideological, or aesthetic preferences; milder than inclination.
- preference
Focuses on conscious choice between options rather than an inner drive.
- disinclination
A reluctance or unwillingness to do something; the opposite of having an inclination.
- aversion
A strong feeling of dislike or opposition, stronger than mere disinclination.
用法筆記
Often followed by a to-infinitive (inclination to do something) or a prepositional phrase with 'toward/towards' or 'for'. Can describe both a temporary wish and a long-term character trait. The plural form 'inclinations' is common when referring to general tendencies.
常見錯誤
2. A slight lowering of the head or bending of the upper body, used as a polite ges
A slight lowering of the head or bending of the upper body, used as a polite gesture of greeting, acknowledgment, respect, or agreement.
The priest acknowledged the visitor's generous donation with a slight inclination of his head.
slight inclination of the head as polite acknowledgment
Villagers greeted the monk with a gentle inclination rather than a full bow from the waist.
gentle inclination contrasting with full bow
When the judge entered the room, the audience rose and offered a respectful inclination of the body.
Ambassador Chen gave a polite inclination of the head as she stepped into the royal study.
用法筆記
This sense is more formal than 'nod' or 'bow'. It typically appears in descriptions of formal or ceremonial settings. The phrase 'inclination of the head' is the most common construction. Almost always used in the singular.
3. The degree of deviation, measured in degrees, of a surface, line, or plane from
The degree of deviation, measured in degrees, of a surface, line, or plane from a flat horizontal or vertical reference point; the slope or tilt of something.
The barn roof has an inclination of thirty-five degrees so that rainwater runs off without causing leaks.
inclination of + measurement in degrees, practical context
The orbital inclination of a planet affects how much sunlight reaches its polar regions during each season.
orbital inclination in astronomy context
The engineer checked the ramp's inclination to confirm it met the safety standards for wheelchair users.
The road has a steep inclination near the mountain pass, so drivers must use low gears.
用法筆記
Common in technical and scientific writing. In geometry, the inclination of a line refers to the angle it makes with the positive direction of the x-axis. In astronomy, 'orbital inclination' is the angle between a planet's orbital plane and a reference plane such as the ecliptic.