/ dɪˈklaɪn; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
[ C , usually sing. , U ] decline (in sth) | decline (of sth) a continuous decrease in the number, value, quality, etc. of sth :
a rapid / sharp / gradual decline
urban / economic decline
The company reported a small decline in its profits.
An increase in cars has resulted in the decline of public transport.
The town fell into (a) decline (= started to be less busy, important, etc.) after the mine closed.
Industry in Britain has been in decline since the 1970s.
■ verb
1.
[ v ] to become smaller, fewer, weaker, etc. :
Support for the party continues to decline.
The number of tourists to the resort declined by 10% last year.
Her health was declining rapidly.
2.
( formal ) to refuse politely to accept or to do sth
SYN refuse :
[ v ]
I offered to give them a lift but they declined.
[ vn ]
to decline an offer / invitation
[ v to inf ]
Their spokesman declined to comment on the allegations.
3.
[ v , vn ] ( grammar ) if a noun, an adjective or a pronoun declines , it has different forms according to whether it is the subject or the object of a verb, whether it is in the singular or plural, etc. When you decline a noun, etc., you list these forms.
—compare conjugate
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IDIOMS
- sb's declining years
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French decliner , from Latin declinare bend down, turn aside, from de- down + clinare to bend.