decline
/dɪˈklaɪn/- 1.
To politely say no to an offer, invitation, or request. It suggests a respectful refusal, not a blunt or angry one.
- She declined the job offer and decided to stay.
- He politely declined to answer any further questions.
- They declined our invitation to the annual conference.
- 2.
To become smaller in amount, lower in quality, or weaker in strength over a period of time. This sense is very common in academic and formal writing.
- Sales declined sharply in the second quarter.
- His health declined steadily over the following months.
- The number of applicants has declined every year.
A gradual fall or reduction in the amount, strength, or quality of something. Often used in reports, news, and academic essays.
- There has been a sharp decline in air quality this year.
- The report showed a steady decline in student performance.
- The company is working hard to reverse its decline.
Adinary Nuance
When "decline" means "to say no," it is noticeably more polite and formal than refuse. You decline an invitation in a professional email; you refuse a demand or an unfair request — refuse can sound blunt or even confrontational. Reject is even stronger than refuse and often feels final, while decline leaves the relationship intact. When "decline" means "to fall," it describes a slow, ongoing process — unlike drop or plummet, which suggest something sudden. In IELTS Task 1 and academic writing, decline is preferred over casual phrases like "go down" or "get worse" when describing gradual downward trends in data.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- suy giảm
- Spanish
- declinar
- Chinese
- 下降
- Japanese
- 減少
- Korean
- 감소
Etymology
From Latin "declinare," meaning "to bend away" or "turn aside," entering English via Old French in the 14th century. The sense of "to refuse" grew from the idea of turning away from something offered, while the sense of "to fall" came from the physical image of bending downward.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'decline' and 'refuse'?
- Both mean to say no, but 'decline' is more polite and formal. Use 'decline' in professional emails or formal letters. 'Refuse' sounds firmer and can come across as blunt or confrontational.
- What is the difference between 'decline' and 'decrease'?
- 'Decline' and 'decrease' are often interchangeable for falling numbers, but 'decline' can also describe a fall in quality, strength, or condition — not just quantity. 'Decrease' is more purely about numbers or amounts.
- Can I use 'decline' in IELTS writing?
- Yes, and it is an excellent academic word. In Task 1, write 'sales declined by 20%' or 'there was a sharp decline in exports' to describe downward trends in graphs. Examiners reward precise vocabulary like this.
- Is 'decline' formal or informal?
- 'Decline' is formal to neutral in register. It fits academic essays, professional emails, and news articles well. In everyday conversation, people tend to say 'go down' or 'turn down' instead.