Decline

Meaning

Decline as a verb means to become smaller, weaker, worse, or less successful, or to politely refuse something. As a noun, it refers to a gradual decrease, weakening, or deterioration.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈklaɪn/

Word Forms

• Base form: decline
• Past tense: declined
• Past participle: declined
• Present participle: declining
• Noun: decline

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

• decline rapidly — to decrease or deteriorate quickly.
• decline gradually — to decrease or weaken slowly over time.
• decline in quality — a reduction in the standard or quality of something.
• decline in numbers — a decrease in the number of people or things.
• economic decline — a period in which an economy becomes weaker.
• decline an invitation — to politely refuse an invitation.

Example Sentences

• The company began to decline after several years of poor management.
• There has been a sharp decline in the number of visitors this year.
• His health continued to decline throughout the winter.
• She politely declined the invitation because she already had other plans.
• The quality of the service has declined significantly since the new management took over.

Literary Example

Example:

“I entirely decline to be mixed up in your life.”

— Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Here, decline is used as a verb meaning to refuse. Alan Campbell firmly refuses to become involved in Dorian's affairs. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Story Workshop

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