propensity

American  

[pruh-pen-si-tee] / prəˈpɛn sɪ ti /

noun

PLURAL

propensities

1. a natural inclination or tendency.

   a propensity to drink too much.

   Synonyms:

   proclivity, penchant, disposition, leaning, bent

2. Obsolete. favorable disposition or partiality.

---

propensity British  

/ prəˈpɛnsɪtɪ /

noun

1. a natural tendency or disposition

2. obsolete partiality

---

Etymology

Origin of propensity

First recorded in 1560–70; propense + -ity

Compare meaning

How does propensity compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• proclivity vs. propensity

Example Sentences

Take advantage of the inconsistency at receiver and the propensity for drops.

From Los Angeles Times

This wouldn’t affect childbirths if the propensity to get married had remained constant.

From The Wall Street Journal

Analysts said that ultimately, Israel and Syria’s new leaders still have some common ground, but Israel’s propensity for acting unilaterally makes cooperation difficult.

From The Wall Street Journal

In short, a segment with a higher propensity to spend than one might expect given China’s broader consumer malaise.

From Barron's

“There has been a propensity to look at pro coaches and just assume that they must be better, more sophisticated,” said Wake Forest athletic director John Currie, who hired Vitello at Tennessee in 2017.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bias
• disposition
• leaning
• penchant
• predilection
• predisposition
• proclivity
• susceptibility
• tendency