recline

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "recline" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this word to refer to the action of leaning back in a relaxed position. Example sentence: She reclined in the chaise lounge, enjoying the warm summer afternoon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On all other nights we eat either sitting up or reclining; why on this night do we all recline?" The prepared answers, recited by all in unison, give a spiritual interpretation to the customs, even though some aspects of the feast were doubtless copied from Greco-Roman banquets.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The note card provides an extensive explanation including why you are using the Knee Defender, how much (in inches) you are willing to allow the seat to be reclined and to notify you if they need to recline their seat at any point during the flight.

The Economist

The best thing is, you are welcome whether you've paid to go to an event, or you simply want to take in the atmosphere, have a coffee or a picnic on the grass, or recline in a canvas deckchair decorated with a literary quote, or sip slightly indifferent wine and buy a book.

The Guardian - Books

"If this passenger so badly wanted the passenger in front of him not to recline," Mr Barro writes, "he should have paid her to give up that right".

The Economist

That is, I own the right to recline, and if my reclining bothers you, you can pay me to stop.

The Economist

In that circumstance, if I really care about being allowed to recline, I could pay him to let me.There's lots more including a dispute over whether recliners or the reclined-upon (reclinees?) should be allocated the initial property right, so as to minimise the number of negotiations necessary on a given flight.

The Economist

Jacob-Innovations, a Massachusetts firm, has a design called StepSeat that lifts every other seat about 18cm allowing extra room for them to recline.

The Economist

The card ends with a call to report any complaints of inconvenience directly to the airline in a bid to convince them to "provide enough space between rows so that people can recline their seats without banging into other passengers.No-one in their right mind would use this card.

The Economist

By night they recline over rum and cigars, tipping generously, listening to hotel salsa and reminiscing about the cold war.

The Economist

Club Classic has cradle seats with a 52" seat pitch and a 155-degree recline; Club Premier has fully flat seats, bigger televisions, better food, free limousines, etc.Only one flight a day is operating in each direction, but passengers may be happy to ignore the irregularity of service when they see the prices.

The Economist

Sometimes they recline together like a couple of Romans after a feast, his arm cradling her curls.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a setting, use "recline" to add a sense of ease or luxury. For instance, "Guests can recline on plush cushions while enjoying cocktails."

Common error

Avoid confusing "recline" with "lie" and "lay". "Recline" always refers to leaning back, while "lie" can mean to recline or to tell an untruth, and "lay" means to place something down. Ensure you use the correct verb form to avoid grammatical errors.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "recline" is a verb, indicating the action of leaning or lying back in a relaxed position. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it can also function as a noun, referring to a mechanism that allows a seat back to be lowered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Independent

20%

Less common in

The New Yorker

15%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "recline" functions primarily as a verb to describe the act of leaning or lying back in a relaxed manner, and occasionally as a noun, referring to a reclining mechanism. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Encyclopedias, signifying a neutral register suitable for diverse writing contexts. While "recline" is generally considered grammatically correct, as Ludwig indicates, careful attention is needed to differentiate it from similar words like "lie" and "lay". Alternatives like "lie back" or "lounge" may be used for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lie back

Emphasizes the act of lying down for relaxation or rest.

lean back

Focuses on the act of tilting the upper body backwards.

lounge

Implies relaxing in a comfortable and leisurely manner.

rest back

Highlights the act of supporting the back while relaxing.

slouch

Suggests a relaxed, often ungainly, posture.

stretch out

Emphasizes extending the body while relaxing.

repose

A more formal term for resting or relaxing.

settle back

Highlights the act of getting comfortable in a reclined position.

take it easy

Focuses on the general concept of relaxing and avoiding strenuous activity.

relax

A general term for reducing tension and stress.

FAQs

How do you use "recline" in a sentence?

You can use "recline" to describe the act of leaning or lying back in a relaxed position. For example, "She likes to recline on the sofa after a long day."

What can I say instead of "recline"?

You can use alternatives like "lie back", "lean back", or "lounge" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "recline" or "decline"?

"Recline" refers to leaning back, while "decline" means to refuse or decrease. They have different meanings and are not interchangeable.

Is "recline" a formal word?

"Recline" is a fairly neutral word, appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. You can use it when describing someone relaxing, whether in a casual or more elegant setting.