flessione

decline

noun fles-SYOH-neh Less Common

Origin: Latin flexio (bending)

Also means

flexion

Usage Note

Flessione has two distinct domains: in economics/finance it means a downturn or decline in figures (e.g. una flessione del PIL, a drop in GDP), and in grammar/linguistics it means 'inflection' (the bending of word forms). In physical contexts it can also mean 'bending' or a 'squat' (exercise). The economic sense is most frequent in modern Italian media. Do not confuse with flessibilità (flexibility).

Examples

"L'economia ha registrato una flessione nel terzo trimestre."

Natural Translation

The economy recorded a decline in the third quarter.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Italian False Friends: 20 Words That Trick You

Italian false friends like preservativo, parenti, and caldo mean the opposite of what English speakers expect. Here are 20 ranked by how badly they bite.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Mi Piace vs Mi Piacciono: How to Say 'I Like'

Use mi piace for one thing and mi piacciono for many — because in Italian the thing you like is the subject. The full rule, pronouns, and past tense.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Dialects vs Standard Italian: A Guide

Standard Italian works everywhere, so relax: this three-layer guide to Italian dialects vs standard Italian shows what to ignore and what to notice.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

You're Welcome in Italian: 8 Ways Beyond Prego

You're welcome in Italian is more than prego: say figurati to friends, si figuri to strangers, di niente, non c'è di che, or grazie a te. Pick the right one.

June 9, 2026 6 min read