Decline definition
The roof declines at a steep angle.
His health has been declining for years.
Refused to decline to their level of behavior.
An example of decline is someone saying no when they've been asked out to dinner.
An example of decline is a ski run.
An example of decline is the unemployment rate going from 9% to 7.5%.
An example of decline is the sun setting in the West.
An example of decline is the collapse of the Roman Empire.
An example of decline is the quality of a glass of milk as it starts to sour over time.
An example of decline is the failing health of someone with cancer.
Boughs declining toward the ground.
We made our way home as the day declined.
I declined their offer of help.
- A gradual deterioration, as in numbers, activity, or quality.
- A downward movement or fall, as in price.
- A deterioration of health.The patient's rapid decline.
The sharp decline of the dunes to the sea.
The day is declining.
I must decline your offer.
The decline of life.
Health that has been declining for years.
A line that declines from straightness.
Conduct that declines from sound morals.
I wanted to invite them but I was afraid they would decline.
The patient's rapid decline.
Origin of decline
- Middle English declinen from Old French decliner from Latin dēclīnāre to turn away, bend downward, change the form of a word dē- de- -clīnāre to lean, bend klei- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English declinen, from Old French decliner, from Latin declinare (“to bend, turn aside, deflect, inflect, decline”), from de (“down”) + clīnō (“I bend, I incline”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱley- (English lean).
From Wiktionary