What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incline
Example
The road has a steep incline, so be careful driving up it. [incline: noun]
Example
I have an incline towards science fiction movies. [incline: noun]
Example
He had to incline his head to hear what she was saying. [incline: verb]
lean
Example
She leaned against the wall to catch her breath. [lean: verb]
Example
I have a lean towards vegetarianism. [lean: noun]
Example
The company's profits are starting to lean towards a downward trend. [lean: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lean is more commonly used than incline in everyday language, especially in informal contexts. Incline is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between incline and lean?
Incline is more formal than lean due to its technical and scientific connotations. Lean is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
