Decline
Noun, Verb
UK
/dɪˈklaɪn/
US
/dɪˈklaɪn/
Definition
(v) : To refuse politely, or to decrease in amount or strength.
(n) : A gradual fall, reduction, or weakening.
(n) : A gradual fall, reduction, or weakening.
Example
"He declined politely."
"She declined the invitation because she was busy with work and personal tasks."
"The country faced an economic decline, as businesses closed and unemployment continued to rise."
Explanation
Decline can mean two things: (1) to politely refuse something, like an invitation, or (2) to gradually decrease or go down in amount, quality, or strength. For example, if a friend invites you to dinner and you cannot go, you decline the invitation. In another case, a company’s sales may decline if fewer people buy their products. The word can also describe someone’s health getting weaker over time. As a noun, decline describes the actual fall or weakening, like “the decline of a civilization” or “a decline in health.”