inflect

verb

in·​flect in-ˈflekt 

inflected; inflecting; inflects

transitive verb

1

: to vary (a word) by inflection : decline, conjugate

2

: to change or vary the pitch of

inflect one's voice

3

: to affect or alter noticeably : influence

an approach inflected by feminism

4

: to turn from a direct line or course : curve

intransitive verb

: to become modified by inflection

inflectable

in-ˈflek-tə-bəl 

adjective

inflective

in-ˈflek-tiv 

adjective

Examples of inflect in a Sentence

Most nouns in English are inflected for plural use by adding “-s” or “-es.”

Most nouns in English inflect for plural use by adding “-s” or “-es.”

Most adjectives in English do not inflect for gender or number.

Recent Examples on the Web

These fundraisers are inflected with the emotional toll of disaster. —Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025

This is a sign that the company’s sales momentum continued after inflecting positive year over year in October for the first time since August 2022. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025

The company’s third-quarter results , reported in mid-November, hinted that its business is bottoming out and poised to inflect positively next year. —Paulina Likos, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024

This was a good sign that business is bottoming and will inflect positively next year. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inflectere, from in- + flectere to bend

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Kids Definition

inflect

verb

in·​flect in-ˈflekt 

1

: to change a word by inflection

2

: to change the pitch of the voice