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- DictionaryDe·cline/dəˈklīn/
verb
- 1. (typically of something regarded as good) become smaller, fewer, or less; decrease: "the birth rate continued to decline"
- 2. politely refuse (an invitation or offer): "Caroline declined the coffee"
noun
- 1. a gradual and continuous loss of strength, numbers, quality, or value: "a serious decline in bird numbers"
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English de‧cline1 /dɪˈklaɪn/ W3 AWL noun [ singular, uncountable] a decrease in the quality, quantity, or importance of something decline in There has been a decline in the size of families. decline of the decline of manufacturing rapid/sharp/steep/dramatic decline a rapid decline in unemployment stead...
/dɪˈklaɪn/ jump to other results. [intransitive](rather formal)to become smaller, fewer, weaker, etc. Support for the party continues to decline. decline by somethingSales of whole milk declined by 4 per cent. decline in somethingThe city declined in importance in the nineteenth century. to decline in popularity/value/number.
Definitions of 'decline' 1. If something declines, it becomes less in quantity, importance, or strength. [...] 2. If you decline something or decline to do something, you politely refuse to accept it or do it. [formal] [...] 3. If there is a decline in something, it becomes less in quantity, importance, or quality. [...] More.
There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun decline. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. decline has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. medicine (late 1700s) pathology (late 1700s) stock market (1880s)
verb. uk / dɪˈklaɪn/ formal. If you decline something, you refuse it politely: I invited him to the meeting but he declined. to become less in amount, importance, quality, or strength: Sales of CDs have declined steadily. (Definition of decline from the Cambridge Essential Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Translations of decline.
It implies a deliberate decision to turn down an offer, invitation, or opportunity. When someone declines, they express a lack of willingness, interest, or agreement with the situation at hand. It can also denote a gradual decrease or a downward trend in quantity, quality, or importance.
Definition of decline. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels.
