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slope Definition

slope (slōp)

noun

  1. a piece of ground that is not flat or level; rising or falling ground
  2. any inclined line, surface, position, etc.; slant
    1. deviation from the horizontal or vertical
    2. the amount or degree of this
  4. Slang a native of East Asia, often, specif., of Vietnam: a vulgar term of hostility and contempt
  5. ☆ the land area that drains into a given ocean
  6. Math.
    1. the trigonometric tangent of the positive angle formed between a given straight line and the x-axis of a pair of Cartesian coordinates
    2. the slope of the tangent line to a given curve at a designated point

Etymology: ME < aslope, sloping (mistaken as a slope) < OE aslopen, pp. of aslupan, to slip away < slupan, to glide: see sloop

intransitive verb sloped, slop′·ing

  1. to have an upward or downward inclination; take an oblique direction; incline; slant
  2. Chiefly Brit., Informal to go or move (off, away, etc.), esp. in a leisurely or furtive way

transitive verb

to cause to slope

adjective

Old Poet. that slopes; slanting; inclined

slope Related Forms
slop′er noun
slope Synonyms

slope

n.

  1. A hillside

    rising ground, incline, grade; see hill.

  2. Inclination

    slant, tilt, declivity; see inclination 5.

slope Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • volcano: From the slopes of the 2300m volcano, impressive glaciers spill into the sea.
  • hill: You'll find them on the western slope of the hill.

Converse of object

  • ascend: Our driver was either downshifting to slowly ascending the slopes or braking during descent.
  • descend: The track soon narrows to a path that descends a slope to a gate with a stile set in the fence beside it.
  • steepen: Deep snow turned into deep heather and snow, and with the steepening slope slipping and falling became more frequent.
  • climb: Climb the boulder slope above from where you emerged, making for the wall on the left hand side.

Adjective modifier

  • steep: Steep rock slope with deep gullies off the NE coast.
  • slippery: Scotland has started on the slippery slope toward tuition fees.
  • grassy: My route stuck to the grassy slope on the left to ensure that I stayed on my feet.
  • gentle: The Village of Braemar Coming up a gentle slope the road enters the village itself.
  • wooded: From wooded slopes to the open landscapes, trees are a vital part of the picture whether from distant views or close at hand.
  • ski: Then someone had the idea of a ski slope.

Modifies a noun

  • stability: This research also includes studies of the migration of gas through sediments, and the effect of gas on marine slope stability.
  • skiing: I also enjoyed the dry- slope skiing - it was great to be able to feel myself going down the slope.

Noun used with modifier

  • scree: This remote valley has imposing scree slopes which dominate the skyline, sinking deep into the waters of the lake.
  • south-facing: The south-facing slope which drops away from the terrace is reputed to have been a vineyard belonging to Shrewsbury Abbey.
  • scarp: The village of Wrotham is situated below the scarp slope of the North Downs at the edge of the Lower Chalk.
  • lift-curve: The lift-curve slope is predicted to within 10 per cent.
  • boulder: Once the dust had settled most of the boulder slope was sixty meters lower down the cave.
  • nursery: There are a few nursery slopes, served by a rope tow.
slope Quotes

Another age shall see the golden ear Imbrown the slope, and nod on the parterre, Deep harvests bury all his pride has planned, And laughing Ceres re-assume the land.

—Pope, Alexander

The great world's altar-stairs That slope through darkness up to God.

—Tennyson

Browse dictionary entries near slope

  1. ‹ slop sink
  2. ‹ slop over
  3. ‹ slop
  4. ‹ sloop-rigged
  5. ‹ sloop of war
  6. ‹ sloop
  7. ‹ sloid
  8. ‹ sloganize
  9. ‹ sloganeer
  10. ‹ slogan
  1. sloping ›
  2. sloppy ›
  3. sloppy Joe ›
  4. slops ›
  5. slopwork ›
  6. slosh ›
  7. sloshed ›
  8. slot ›
  9. slot car ›
  10. slot machine ›