Inclination vs. Inkling — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 3, 2024
Inclination refers to a person's natural tendency or disposition, while inkling suggests a slight knowledge or suspicion.
Difference Between Inclination and Inkling
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Inclination describes a natural tendency or preference toward a particular behavior or action. It implies a leaning towards doing something due to personal preference or natural disposition, whereas inkling refers to a vague idea or a faint hint of something. An inkling is a subtle or vague notion about something, often without clear evidence. It's like having a hint or suspicion about a situation or fact, while inclination is more about a person's natural tendencies or proclivities that guide their actions or thoughts.
An inclination can be strong and influence decisions significantly, while an inkling is more about having a slight or subtle feeling that may not necessarily lead to action. Inklings are often the beginning point of curiosity or suspicion, whereas inclinations can determine the direction or choices in someone's life.
Inclination can also be related to physical or natural leanings, such as the inclination of the Earth's axis, highlighting a broader application of the term beyond human tendencies. On the other hand, inkling is used exclusively in the context of mental or intuitive understanding, indicating a limitation to its scope of meaning to the initial stages of awareness or feeling.
Inclinations can be developed over time and influenced by external factors such as upbringing, culture, or experiences, suggesting a degree of flexibility and change. In contrast, an inkling is often spontaneous and based on intuitive feeling rather than a developed tendency, pointing to its fleeting and often momentary nature.
While inclinations can have a significant impact on one's decisions and paths in life, an inkling might only prompt further investigation or thought, highlighting a difference in the potential influence each term signifies. Inclinations lead towards a more defined direction or choice, while inklings serve more as a trigger for curiosity or further exploration.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A natural tendency or disposition.
A slight knowledge or suspicion.
Nature
Strong and influencing decisions.
Subtle and often not action-oriented.
Application
Beyond human tendencies, e.g., physical leanings.
Exclusive to mental or intuitive understanding.
Development
Can be developed over time.
Spontaneous and based on intuition.
Impact on Life
Significant, guiding decisions and actions.
Triggers curiosity, leading to investigation.
Compare with Definitions
Inclination
A natural tendency towards something.
She has an inclination towards painting, spending hours on her artwork.
Inkling
A faint idea or notion about something.
I had an inkling that the surprise party was for me.
Inclination
A leaning or preference that influences decisions.
His inclination to choose science over arts guided his career path.
Inkling
A slight suspicion or hint.
There was an inkling of truth in his seemingly absurd story.
Inclination
The degree to which something leans or tilts.
The inclination of the tower makes it a unique architectural marvel.
Inkling
A vague feeling of understanding.
He had an inkling about the solution but couldn't articulate it yet.
Inclination
The act of inclining towards something or someone.
Her inclination towards her friend's advice often leads her to make wise decisions.
Inkling
A subtle indication or clue.
She gave me an inkling of her intentions with a discreet nod.
Inclination
A predisposition towards a particular feeling or state.
There's a general inclination to be optimistic about the future.
Inkling
The beginning of a slight understanding or awareness.
Only after the event did I have an inkling of its significance.
Inclination
The act of inclining or the state of being inclined; a bend or tilt
The inclination of the child's head suggested sleep.
Inkling
A slight hint or indication.
Inclination
A deviation or the degree of deviation from the horizontal or vertical; a slant
The steep inclination of a roof.
Inkling
A slight understanding or vague idea or notion.
Inclination
The angle between two lines or planes
The inclination of the comet's orbit with respect to that of Earth.
Inkling
Usually preceded by forms of to give: a slight hint, implication, or suggestion given.
Inclination
An inclined surface; a slope.
Inkling
Often preceded by forms of to get or to have: an imprecise idea or slight knowledge of something; a suspicion.
Inclination
A characteristic disposition or tendency to act in a certain way; a propensity
"I shall indulge the inclination so natural in old men, to be talking of themselves" (Benjamin Franklin).
Inkling
A desire, an inclination.
Inclination
A preference or liking
His musical inclinations.
Inkling
Present participle of inkle
Inclination
A physical tilt or bend.
The inclination of his head increased and he awoke with a start.
Inkling
A hint; an intimation.
The least inkling or glimpse of this island.
They had some inkling of secret messages.
Inclination
A slant or slope.
The road up to the house had a steep inclination.
Inkling
A slight suggestion or vague understanding;
He had no inkling what was about to happen
Inclination
A tendency.
His inclination to drink escalated to alcoholism.
Inclination
(geometry) The angle of intersection of a reference plane
The astronomer calculated the inclination of the equator or ecliptic of Earth and the orbital planes of each visible heavenly body.
Artillery must take account of a weapon's precise inclination.
Inclination
(obsolete) A person or thing loved or admired.
Inclination
The act of inclining, or state of being inclined; a leaning; as, an inclination of the head.
Inclination
A direction or tendency from the true vertical or horizontal direction; as, the inclination of a column, or of a road bed.
Inclination
A tendency towards another body or point.
Inclination
The angle made by two lines or planes; as, the inclination of the plane of the earth's equator to the plane of the ecliptic is about 23° 28´; the inclination of two rays of light.
Inclination
A leaning or tendency of the mind, feelings, preferences, or will; propensity; a disposition more favorable to one thing than to another; favor; desire; love.
A mere inclination to a thing is not properly a willing of that thing.
How dost thou find the inclination of the people?
Inclination
A person or thing loved or admired.
Inclination
Decantation, or tipping for pouring.
Inclination
An attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others;
He had an inclination to give up too easily
A tendency to be too strict
Inclination
(astronomy) the angle between the plane of the orbit and the plane of the ecliptic stated in degrees
Inclination
(geometry) the angle formed by the x-axis and a given line (measured counterclockwise from the positive half of the x-axis)
Inclination
(physics) the angle that a magnetic needle makes with the plane of the horizon
Inclination
That toward which you are inclined to feel a liking;
Her inclination is for classical music
Inclination
The property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the vertical;
The tower had a pronounced tilt
The ship developed a list to starboard
He walked with a heavy inclination to the right
Inclination
A characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect;
The alkaline inclination of the local waters
Fabric with a tendency to shrink
Inclination
The act of inclining; bending forward;
An inclination of his head indicated his agreement
Common Curiosities
What is an inclination?
An inclination is a person's natural tendency or disposition towards something.
Can inclinations change over time?
Yes, inclinations can develop and change over time based on experiences and external influences.
Is an inkling always accurate?
No, an inkling is a vague notion that might not always be accurate or based on clear evidence.
What does inkling mean?
An inkling is a slight knowledge or suspicion about something.
How do inclinations influence behavior?
Inclinations strongly influence decisions and behaviors based on personal preferences or natural dispositions.
Can an inkling lead to a deeper investigation?
Yes, an inkling can trigger curiosity, leading to further thought or investigation.
Are inclinations always conscious?
Not always. People might not always be aware of their inclinations as they can be deeply ingrained.
Can someone ignore their inclinations?
While possible, it can be challenging to go against one's natural tendencies or inclinations.
Do people have inclinations in all aspects of life?
Yes, people can have inclinations in various aspects, from career choices to personal preferences.
How can someone identify their inclinations?
Through introspection, feedback from others, and noticing recurring patterns in their choices and behaviors.
How do inklings come about?
Inklings often arise spontaneously, based on intuition or subtle clues.
Are inklings reliable for making decisions?
Since inklings are vague, they may not be the most reliable basis for important decisions.
Can you have an inkling about someone's feelings?
Yes, it's possible to have a faint idea or suspicion about someone's feelings.
Is an inclination more significant than an inkling?
In terms of influence on decisions and actions, inclinations tend to have a more significant impact.
Can inklings be a form of intuition?
Yes, inklings are often considered a form of intuition, providing a subtle hint or feeling about something.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
