Dictionary definition · decline
noun
- change toward something smaller or lower
- a condition inferior to an earlier condition; a gradual falling off from a better state; decline
- a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current
- a downward slope or bend
verb
- grow worse"Conditions in the slum worsened"
- not accept as true"He refused to accept what she said"
- show unwillingness towards"he declined to join the group on a hike"
- grow smaller"Interest in the project waned"
- go down"The roof declines here"
- fall in value"the stock market corrected"
- inflect for number, gender, case, etc."in many languages, speakers decline nouns, pronouns, and adjectives"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).