Slope: meaning, definitions and examples

⛰️
Add to dictionary

slope

 

[ sləʊp ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

in geometry

The slope is a measure of the steepness of a line. It is defined as the ratio of the vertical change between two points on the line to the horizontal change between the same two points.

Synonyms

gradient, inclination, pitch

Examples of usage

  • The slope of a vertical line is undefined.
  • A line with a positive slope slants upwards to the right.
  • The slope of a horizontal line is zero.
Context #2 | Noun

in geography

In geography, slope refers to the steepness of a terrain or land surface. It is often measured in degrees or as a percentage.

Synonyms

ascent, gradient, incline

Examples of usage

  • The slope of the mountain was too steep for hiking.
  • The ski resort is known for its challenging slopes.
Context #3 | Verb

in sports

To slope means to slant or incline in a particular direction. It is often used in skiing and snowboarding to describe the act of descending down a hill or mountain.

Synonyms

descend, incline, slant

Examples of usage

  • We decided to slope down the mountain rather than taking the lift.
  • The snowboarder expertly sloped through the terrain park.

Translations

Translations of the word "slope" in other languages:

🇵🇹 declive

🇮🇳 ढलान

🇩🇪 Hang

🇮🇩 kemiringan

🇺🇦 схил

🇵🇱 stok

🇯🇵 斜面 (しゃめん)

🇫🇷 pente

🇪🇸 pendiente

🇹🇷 eğim

🇰🇷 경사

🇸🇦 منحدر

🇨🇿 svah

🇸🇰 svah

🇨🇳 坡度 (pōdù)

🇸🇮 naklon

🇮🇸 halli

🇰🇿 еңіс

🇬🇪 დაშვება

🇦🇿 meyillik

🇲🇽 pendiente

Etymology

The word 'slope' originated in the late 15th century and comes from the Middle English word 'slopen' which means to slant or incline. The concept of slope is fundamental in mathematics, geography, and sports, where it describes the inclination or steepness of surfaces.

See also: aslope, sloping.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,246, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.