Noun

1. An area of ground that tends evenly upward or downward.

   I had to climb a small slope to get to the site.

2. The degree to which a surface tends upward or downward.

   The road has a very sharp downward slope at that point.

3. The ratio of the vertical and horizontal distances between two points on a line; zero if the line is horizontal, undefined if it is vertical.

   The slope of this line is 0.5

4. The slope of the line tangent to a curve at a given point.

   The slope of a parabola increases linearly with x.

5. 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). For English units of measurement, when dimensions are given in inches, slope may be expressed as a ratio of rise to run, such as 4:12 or an an angle.

   The slope of an asphalt shingle roof system should be 4:12 or greater.

6. A person of Chinese or other East Asian descent.

Synonyms

• (area of ground that tends evenly upward or downward): bank, embankment, gradient, hill, incline
• (degree to which a surface tends upward or downward): gradient
• (mathematics): first derivative, gradient
• (offensive: Chinese person): Chinaman, Chink

Verb

1. To tend steadily upward or downward.

   The road slopes sharply down at that point.

2. To try to move surreptitiously.

   I sloped in through the back door, hoping my boss wouldn't see me.

3. To hold a rifle at a slope with forearm perpendicular to the body in front holding the butt, the rifle resting on the shoulder.

   The order was given to "slope arms."