tendency
Americannoun
-
tendencies
plural
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- leaning, proclivity
-
a special and definite purpose in a novel or other literary work.
noun
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(often foll by to) an inclination, predisposition, propensity, or leaning
she has a tendency to be frivolous
a tendency to frivolity
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the general course, purport, or drift of something, esp a written work
-
a faction, esp one within a political party
the militant tendency
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
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing tendency
Twelve Angry Men
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Coraline
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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:
However, in contemporary Austria, demands for remembrance are increasingly clashing with "the opposite tendency, namely to say: 'Now this really has to stop'," he said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026
This allowed them to estimate each participant's overall genetic tendency toward higher or lower LDL cholesterol.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026
The five members of the KMI Panel have met since the 2022-23 season, but until now the full judgements have been kept private - though there was a tendency for clubs to leak the information.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
“I find that there is a tendency for people to roll their eyes at things that bring women joy,” she told Cooper.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
And then there’s this odd tendency among donors to treat a fourth donation as something worthy of congratulations.
From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro
Another reason she might be withholding guidance is that she possesses some narcissistic tendencies, Smith says.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
Except her version of fun involves vengeance, sly righteousness and the exposure of humanity’s darker tendencies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
Swift built her reputation as an ultra-relatable pop star, seemingly down-to-earth with her regular girl fashion sensibilities, boy troubles and cat-lady tendencies.
From Salon ● Jul. 8, 2026
If England have a squad primed to exploit the natural tendencies of better sides, then the latter rounds of this World Cup should produce more impressive knockout performances than during the Southgate era.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
This version includes the tonal tendencies and interesting titles for each tone.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
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.
