inclination

A feeling that you want to do something, or a habit of doing it.

• I have no inclination to cook tonight.
• Her natural inclination is to help others.
• Do you feel any inclination to join us?

How to use it: inclination to do something (She has little inclination to argue.); inclination towards something (His inclination towards music began in childhood.)

Similar words: desire, tendency, urge

Opposites: aversion

Common phrases: inclination to help, little inclination, natural inclination, inclination to drink

The amount by which a surface or line slopes away from a flat or upright position.

• The road has a slight inclination.
• The roof’s inclination allows rain to drain away.
• They measured the inclination in degrees.

How to use it: inclination of something (We measured the inclination of the roof.)

Similar words: slope, gradient

Common phrases: inclination of something, steep inclination, angle of inclination

A movement or position in which something, especially the head or body, bends or tilts.

• He greeted us with an inclination of his head.
• The forward inclination of her body suggested interest.
• A gentle inclination of the neck completed the movement.

How to use it: inclination of something (A slight inclination of her head showed agreement.)

Similar words: tilt, bend

Common phrases: inclination of something, slight inclination, forward inclination