1. (

• decline ,
• diminution

) change toward something smaller or lower ;

2. (

• decline ,
• declination

) a condition inferior to an earlier condition; a gradual falling off from a better state ;

3. (

• decay ,
• decline ,

) a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current ;

4. (

• descent ,
• declivity ,
• fall ,
• decline ,
• declination ,
• declension ,
• downslope

) a downward slope or bend ;

1. (

• worsen ,
• decline ,

) grow worse; "Conditions in the slum worsened" ;

2. (

• refuse ,
• reject ,
• pass_up ,
• turn_down ,
• decline

) refuse to accept; "He refused my offer of hospitality" ;

3. (

• refuse ,
• decline

) show unwillingness towards; "he declined to join the group on a hike" ;

4. (

• decline ,
• go_down ,
• wane ,

) grow smaller; "Interest in the project waned" ;

5. (

• decline

) go down; "The roof declines here" ;

6. (

• decline ,
• slump ,
• correct ,

) go down in value; "the stock market corrected"; "prices slumped" ;

7. (

• decline ,

) inflect for number, gender, case, etc.; "in many languages, speakers decline nouns, pronouns, and adjectives" ;