tendency

American  

[ten-duhn-see] / ˈtɛn dən si /

noun

plural

tendencies

1. a natural or prevailing disposition to move, proceed, or act in some direction or toward some point, end, or result.

   the tendency of falling bodies toward the earth.

2. an inclination, bent, or predisposition to something.

   a tendency to talk too much.

   Synonyms:

   leaning, proclivity

3. a special and definite purpose in a novel or other literary work.

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tendency British  

/ ˈtɛndənsɪ /

noun

1. (often foll by to) an inclination, predisposition, propensity, or leaning

   she has a tendency to be frivolous

   a tendency to frivolity

2. the general course, purport, or drift of something, esp a written work

3. a faction, esp one within a political party

   the militant tendency

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Related Words

Tendency, direction, trend, drift refer to inclination or line of action or movement. A tendency is an inclination toward a certain line of action (whether or not the action follows), and is often the result of inherent qualities, nature, or habit: a tendency to procrastinate. Direction is the line along which an object or course of action moves, often toward some set point or intended goal: The change is in the direction of improvement. Trend emphasizes simultaneous movement in a certain direction of a number of factors, although the course or goal may not be clear for any single feature: Business indicators showed a downward trend. Drift emphasizes gradual development as well as direction: the drift of his argument.

Other Word Forms

• countertendency noun

Etymology

Origin of tendency

From the Medieval Latin word tendentia, dating back to 1620–30. See tend ¹, -ency

Explanation

A tendency is an inclination to do something. For example, dogs have a tendency to bark at strangers and the mail man. We all have tendencies: things we're inclined to do, or like to do, or just can't help doing. Morning people have a tendency to get up early. Basketball players usually have a tendency to go right or left. Optimists have a tendency to look on the bright side of things; pessimists have the opposite tendency. Other things have tendencies too, like how the stock market tends to go up and down.

Example Sentences

Still, he said there was a tendency to paint “existential threats as if they are a near certainty.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

That’s the tendency of consumers to spend more when their stocks and home values are riding high.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Much of the frying process occurs under negative pressure, which increases the tendency for oil to be pulled into the food.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

But the smallness and lockstep defeatism of so much commentary on the war also stems from the normal human tendency to interpret today’s big thing as another version of yesterday’s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

He recognized the way she adjusted her glasses and her tendency to hold each hand in a fist, a habit she developed as a child to keep from biting her nails.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Related Words

• bias
• habit
• impulse
• leaning
• penchant
• propensity
• shift
• trend
• type
• weakness