propensity

[pruh-pen-si-tee]

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

/ prəˈpɛnsɪtɪ /

noun

1. a natural tendency or disposition

2. obsolete,  partiality

Word History and Origins

Origin of propensity¹

First recorded in 1560–70; propense + -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of propensity¹

C16: from Latin prōpensus inclined to, from prōpendēre to _propend

Example Sentences

And against Illinois, that propensity for allowing explosive plays came back to bite USC in a brutal loss.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a little thing called state sovereignty, but given the President’s propensity to violate the Constitution, it’s unsurprising that he’s unfamiliar with it.”

From Los Angeles Times

Once again, USC would pay a serious price for its propensity for penalties.

From Los Angeles Times

But Alcaraz's propensity to dip more than Sinner appeared in the second set.

From BBC

In comparison, the culinary world pooh-poohed Lee’s “Semi-Homemade Cooking” methods and dissed Ray’s propensity to toss together quick, cheap meals instead of quality ones.

From Salon

Related Words

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