Definition of predilection
: an established preference for something
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predilection was our Word of the Day on 08/14/2010. Hear the podcast!
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Examples of predilection in a Sentence
It's true that black audiences have always had a predilection for talking back at performances. But more than that is going on in this theatre: the intensity of engagement is palpable. —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New Yorker, 3 Feb. 1997
The predilection of certain upper-class Englishmen toward eccentricity and playacting lent itself well to this endeavor. —Robert D. Kaplan, The Arabists, 1993
Even seated in the witness chair, he did not remove the light-colored, belted raincoat that, in common with knee-high boots, is a predilection of the Nazi-minded and that, in his case, was nearly identical to the raincoat Hitler habitually wore. —Kay Boyle, “Preface from the Smoking … ,” 1950, in Words that Must Somehow be Said: Selected Essays of Kay Boyle 1927–1984, 1985
a young lad with a predilection for telling tall tales
Recent Examples of predilection from the Web
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These include the current predilection for wearing garments in an ironic way as well as an acceptance of unisex clothing, especially among millennials.
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The world of scientists is a social one of human beings whose ideas, predilections, vision and insight — as well as their blind spots and limitations — are the product of their cultures.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'predilection'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Predilection Has a Versatile Latin Root
Do you have a predilection for words whose histories conjure up colorful images of Wild West heroes, medieval knaves, Arabian princes, and intemperate gods, or are words with straightforward Latin roots more your style? If you favor the latter, you'll love "predilection." It's based on the Latin verb legere, which means "to gather" or "to read." That versatile root is also the source of many other familiar English words, including "collect," "lesson," "sacrilege," and "legume."
Origin and Etymology of predilection
French prédilection, from Medieval Latin praediligere to love more, prefer, from Latin prae- + diligere to love — more at diligent
First Known Use: 1742
Synonym Discussion of predilection
PREDILECTION Defined for English Language Learners
predilection
playDefinition of predilection for English Language Learners
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: a natural liking for something : a tendency to do or to be attracted to something
Learn More about predilection
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See words that rhyme with predilection Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for predilection Spanish Central: Translation of predilection Nglish: Translation of predilection for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of predilection for Arabic speakers
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