proclivity
Americannoun
-
proclivities
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of proclivity
1585–95; < Latin prōclīvitās tendency, literally, a steep descent, steepness, equivalent to prōclīv ( is ) sloping forward, steep ( prō- pro- 1 + clīv ( us ) slope + -is adj. suffix) + -itās -ity
Compare meaning
How does proclivity compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A proclivity is a natural tendency to like something, such as your sister's proclivity for restaurants that serve hot, spicy food. When you have a proclivity, it feels automatic — you like what you like; you don't even have to think about it. The origin of the word proclivity supports this feeling. Proclivity comes from the Latin word proclivis, which literally means "sloping forward." You slide toward a proclivity — no effort is needed. You just give in to it, since you're headed in that direction naturally.
Vocabulary lists containing proclivity
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Fahrenheit 451
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In her 2019 memoir, “Where the Light Enters,” Jill contrasts Joe’s capacity for forgiveness with her proclivity toward grudges, how she recalls “every slight committed against the people I love.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026
Verma notes that there has been an increasing proclivity to reduce subsidies, which may not necessarily be a good idea in a price-sensitive country like India.
From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2026
The most notable stock-market research over the weekend comes from academia, where researchers studied those rascals in Congress and their proclivity to trade.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 1, 2025
Nonetheless, Woohoo has resonated with customers accustomed to the lavish offerings of Dubai, a tech-forward megalopolis with a proclivity for extravagance where AI has its own minister.
From Barron's ● Nov. 30, 2025
And that's why my parents were convinced that it was my proclivity for sweets and aversion to vegetables that caused my acne.
From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi
It was an eye-opening moment for the industry, the government and the public as a whole, showing the worrisome proclivities the systems already held.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
If the goal was to make Jackson’s proclivities look normal and wholesome, congratulations, “Michael” is a spectacular failure.
From Salon ● Apr. 25, 2026
In addition to creating art and DJing, Arens is also a musician, and his eclectic music projects reflect his nostalgic proclivities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2026
They added that respect for existing precedent “contributes to the actual and perceived integrity of the judicial process” by ensuring that decisions are “founded in the law rather than in the proclivities of individuals.”
From Slate ● Oct. 2, 2025
Were all firemen picked then for their looks as well as their proclivities?
From "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
