decline
Translation
to decline, to refuse, to decrease
Examples
She declined the invitation to the party.
She declined the invitation to the party.
The company's profits have declined.
The company's profits have declined.
He declined to comment on the matter.
He declined to comment on the matter.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to refuse (sth.) politely. She declined the invitation to the party.
(no object) to decrease in quantity or importance. The company's profits have declined.
((to-inf)) to refuse to do (sth.). He declined to comment on the matter.
Similar Words
Synonyms: refuse, reject, decrease; Antonyms: accept, agree, increase
Etymology
From Latin 'de-' (down) + 'clinare' (to bend). The original meaning is 'to bend down'.
Memory Tips
Imagine a graph line 'bending down' (decreasing) or politely 'bending away' from an offer (refusing).