decline /dɪˈklaɪn/ CET4 TEM4 ( declining, declined, declines )

• 1. 

  V-I If something declines, it becomes less in quantity, importance, or strength. 下降

  例：

  The number of staff has declined from 217,000 to 114,000.

  员工人数已从217000人减少到114000人。

  例：

  Hourly output by workers declined 1.3% in the first quarter.

  工人每小时的产量在第1季度下降了1.3%。

• 2. 

  V-T/V-I If you decline something or decline to do something, you politely refuse to accept it or do it. 谢绝 [正式]

  例：

  He declined their invitation.

  他谢绝了他们的邀请。

  例：

  He offered the boys some coffee. They declined politely.

  他要给男孩们来些咖啡。他们礼貌地拒绝了。

• 3. 

  N-VAR If there is a decline in something, it becomes less in quantity, importance, or quality. 下降

  例：

  Official figures show a sharp decline in the number of foreign tourists.

  官方数字显示外国游客数量骤降。

• 4. 

  PHRASE If something is in decline or on the decline, it is gradually decreasing in importance, quality, or power. 在下降

  例：

  Thankfully the smoking of cigarettes is on the decline.

  感谢的是吸烟正在减少。

• 5. 

  PHRASE If something goes or falls into decline, it begins to gradually decrease in importance, quality, or power. 开始下降

  例：

  Libraries are an investment for the future and they should not be allowed to fall into decline.

  图书馆是对未来的一种投资，不应该让图书馆衰落。