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tendency

[ ten-duhn-see ]
/ ˈtɛn dən si /
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See synonyms for: tendency / tendencies on Thesaurus.com
noun, plural ten·den·cies.
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.
an inclination, bent, or predisposition to something: a tendency to talk too much.
a special and definite purpose in a novel or other literary work.
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Origin of tendency

From the Medieval Latin word tendentia, dating back to 1620–30. See tend1, -ency

synonym study for tendency

1. 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 WORDS FROM tendency

coun·ter·tend·en·cy, noun, plural coun·ter·tend·en·cies.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to tendency

bias, habit, impulse, leaning, penchant, propensity, shift, trend, type, weakness, inclination, movement, addiction, affection, bent, current, custom, disposition, drift, inclining

How to use tendency in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tendency

tendency
/ (ˈtɛndənsɪ) /
noun plural -cies
(often foll by to) an inclination, predisposition, propensity, or leaningshe has a tendency to be frivolous; a tendency to frivolity
the general course, purport, or drift of something, esp a written work
a faction, esp one within a political partythe militant tendency

Word Origin for tendency

C17: from Medieval Latin tendentia, from Latin tendere to tend 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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