How to pronounce inclination
Say it like in-kluh-NAY-shun. Inclination has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inclination. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- kluh
- NAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inclination pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kluhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- NAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of inclination
American and British speakers say inclination in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-klih-NAY-shun.
What does inclination mean?
- A physical tilt or bend.“The inclination of his head increased and he awoke with a start.”
- A slant or slope.“The road up to the house had a steep inclination.”
- A tendency.“His inclination to drink escalated to alcoholism.”
Where does inclination come from?
From Middle English inclinacioun, inclinacyon, from Old French inclination and Latin inclīnātiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with inclination
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of inclination.
- information
- education
- situation
- association
- population
- station
- administration
- operation
- organization
- application
Questions about saying inclination
How do you pronounce inclination?
Say in-kluh-NAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inclination?
Inclination has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (NAY). Broken into parts: in · kluh · NAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say inclination the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.