recline
B2Neutral to Formal. More common in written and formal descriptions (e.g., manuals, advertisements) than casual speech.
Definition
Meaning
To lean or lay back, usually in a relaxed or resting position.
To move something, especially part of a seat, into a more backward or horizontal position; to assume a resting position; figuratively, to rest or relax in an activity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate, comfortable adjustment of posture. Commonly used with objects that have adjustable parts (chairs, seats). Less commonly used for simply 'leaning' without the connotation of resting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Reclining seat' is the standard term in both varieties for adjustable seats in transport and furniture.
Connotations
Neutral in both; associated with comfort, travel, and relaxation.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the common marketing of 'recliners' (armchairs) and 'reclining seats' in cars and cinemas.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] reclines[Subject] reclines [Object] (e.g., the seat)[Subject] reclines on/in/against [Location]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Recline in the lap of luxury (rare, literary)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in travel, hospitality, and furniture industries (e.g., 'Our premium seats recline to 180 degrees.').
Academic
Rare; may appear in historical or anthropological texts describing postures.
Everyday
Common when discussing aeroplane, car, or cinema seats, and living room furniture.
Technical
Used in product design and ergonomics to describe adjustable mechanisms.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please do not recline your seat until the meal service is complete.
- She reclined on the sun lounger with a good book.
American English
- You can recline the passenger seat all the way back.
- He reclined in his La-Z-Boy to watch the game.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form in common use.
American English
- No standard adverbial form in common use.
adjective
British English
- This model features a reclining function. (as part of a noun phrase)
- They bought a new reclining sofa for the lounge.
American English
- We offer reclining seats in our first-class cabin. (as part of a noun phrase)
- He settled into the reclining section of the sectional couch.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The chair can recline.
- He likes to recline on the sofa.
- Could you please not recline your seat so far? It's cramped.
- Passengers are asked to return their seats to the upright position and not recline during take-off.
- The new office chairs are ergonomically designed and recline smoothly to reduce back strain.
- She found a quiet spot in the garden and reclined in the hammock.
- The statue depicts a Roman patrician reclining languidly at a banquet, a symbol of opulence and leisure.
- The dentist's chair was fully reclined to allow better access to the patient's lower jaw.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'INcline' - to slope upwards. 'REcline' is the opposite - to slope or lean BACKwards.
Conceptual Metaphor
REST IS BACKWARD MOTION / RELAXATION IS A HORIZONTAL POSITION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with "откидываться" for all contexts. "Recline" is specific to a comfortable, intentional leaning back, not a sudden movement or falling. For 'lean against a wall', use "lean on/against", not "recline".
Common Mistakes
- Using 'recline' intransitively where a preposition is needed (e.g., 'He reclined the sofa' is wrong; 'He reclined on the sofa' is correct). Confusing 'recline' (controlled, comfortable) with 'slouch' (lazy, poor posture).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'recline' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Recline' specifically means to lean back into a resting or relaxed position, often with support. 'Lean' is more general and can be in any direction (lean forward, lean against). 'Recline' implies a deliberate, comfortable posture.
Very rarely. The noun form is almost always 'recliner' (for a chair) or part of a compound noun like 'seat recline'. The verb is by far the most common form.
It is redundant but sometimes used in informal instructions for emphasis (e.g., 'Recline back and relax'). Since 'recline' already means 'lean back', 'lean back' is often a more natural alternative in speech.
The standard phrase used by cabin crew is "return your seat to the upright position" or simply "put your seat up".