An inclination is a natural tendency to feel, think, or act in a certain way. If you have an inclination toward math, you find yourself drawn to numbers and logic problems without anyone forcing you. If your friend has an inclination to help others, she naturally looks for ways to be useful when someone needs assistance.

Think of it as a gentle internal pull, like a compass needle drawn toward north. You might have an inclination to read mystery novels rather than fantasy, or an inclination to work alone instead of in groups. These aren't rigid rules about who you are: they're just patterns in what feels natural or appealing to you.

The word can describe a temporary feeling too. You might feel an inclination to stay inside on a rainy Saturday, or have no inclination to clean your room even though you know you should. When someone asks what you're inclined to do, they're asking what you're leaning toward naturally, not what you're required to do.

Inclination can also mean a physical slope or tilt, like the inclination of a ramp or hillside, though this meaning is less common in everyday speech.