| Front | decline |
|---|---|
| Back | de•cline noun, verb BrE /dɪˈklaɪn/ NAmE /dɪˈklaɪn/ noun word origin thesaurus example bank [countable, usually singular, uncountable] ~ (in sth)| ~ (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 verb forms word origin thesaurus example bank 1 [intransitive] (rather formal) 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 [intransitive, transitive] (formal) to refuse politely to accept or to do sth refuse I offered to give them a lift but they declined. ~ sth to decline an offer/invitation She declined a second glass of wine and called for a taxi. ~ to do sth Their spokesman declined to comment on the allegations. 3 [intransitive, transitive] ~ (sth) (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 sb's declining ˈyears (literary) the last years of sb's life |
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