tendency

American  

[ten-duhn-see] / ˈtɛn dən si /

noun

tendencies plural

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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Synonym Usage

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

Derived Forms

• countertendency
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• tendencies
  plural

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

From the base of Middlesbrough's midfield, Hayden Hackney demonstrated a range of passing, athleticism, and tendency to make a difference in key moments that stood out in the division.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

Fleming reads unconventional in every way, from his manic and meta delivery to his glam-rock crushed-velvet bodysuit to a rubbery tendency to leap around the stage, no limb left behind.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

But his lesser narrative skills, and his tendency to minimize Spartan errors, make that theme hard to discern in his works.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

Those impressive numbers, along with the market’s long-standing tendency to overlook geopolitics, helps to explain why the index is sitting near record highs despite the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

“Cadet Mason is incredibly focused and goal oriented, and people that driven have a tendency to grate on others.”

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

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