change toward something smaller or lower
"The company's profits declined sharply after the new regulations were implemented."
a condition inferior to an earlier condition; a gradual falling off from a better state
"After years of thriving in its prime, the once-majestic oak tree showed signs of decline as its leaves turned brittle and sparse."
a downward slope or bend
"The hikers paused on the steep decline to catch their breath before continuing down the mountain path."
Downward movement, fall.
"As the elevator began its descent to the basement, I watched the floor numbers decline steadily."
In plain English: A decline is a drop or decrease in something, like when your energy levels go down after a long day.
"He decided to accept the invitation despite the slight decline in attendance at last year's event."
Usage: Use "decline" as a noun to describe a downward trend or decrease in numbers, quality, or value over time. Avoid using it interchangeably with "refuse," which means to politely say no to an offer.
inflect for number, gender, case, etc.
"in many languages, speakers decline nouns, pronouns, and adjectives"
To move downwards, to fall, to drop.
"As the elevator began its descent, I watched the numbers on the display decline rapidly toward the ground floor."
In plain English: To decline means to say no to something or to get worse over time.
"She politely declined the invitation to the party."
Usage: Use decline to describe something decreasing in quantity, value, or quality over time, such as sales dropping or health worsening. Do not use it to mean simply moving downward in physical space unless referring to a literal slope or gradient.
The word "decline" entered English from the Old French verb decliner, meaning to bend or turn aside. While a related grammatical sense was borrowed directly from Latin, most other meanings traveled through Middle English from that same French source.