slopes

Noun

slope (countable and uncountable, plural slopes)

1. A surface that either inclines or declines in a regular manner from the perspective of an observer.
   • the slope
2. An area of ground that tends evenly upward or downward.
   • I had to climb a small slope to get to the site.

   Synonyms:

   bank, embankment, gradient, hill, incline, cant

3. The degree to which a surface tends upward or downward.
   • The road has a very sharp downward slope at that point.

   Synonyms:

   gradient, cant

4. The ratio of the vertical and horizontal distances between two points lying on the line.
   • The slope of this line is 0.5
5. (proscribed, sometimes, see Usage notes) The slope of the line tangent to the curve at the given point.
   • The slope of a parabola increases linearly with x.
6. The angle a roof surface makes with the horizontal, expressed as a ratio of the units of vertical rise to the units of horizontal length (sometimes referred to as run).
   • The slope of an asphalt shingle roof system should be 4:12 or greater.

See all 15 meanings of slope