predilection

noun pre·di·lec·tion \ ˌpre-də-ˈlek-shən , ˌprē- \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

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Examples: predilection in a Sentence

Editor's Note: predilection Has a Versatile Latin Root

Definition of predilection

: an established preference for something

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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

Most conversations about Kanye West lead to the Kardashian clan’s predilection for devouring and spitting out famous black men.

— michael harriot, The Root, "The All-American Question: Can You Truly Love Black People If You Date Outside Their Race?," 9 May 2018
There are a lot of reasons why the wedding, by TV’s past predilections, should have been canceled.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "The Fosters Moves Out: Saying Goodbye To TV's Most Temperate Family Drama," 7 June 2018
The dynamics between Trump and heads of government with their own predilections could create some volatile chemistry at the two-day summit.

— Washington Post, "Friend or foe at NATO? Who knows when Trump comes to dinner," 10 July 2018
These predilections for borrowing, and willingness to navigate our lives with selective math, soon coaxed millions of unqualified buyers into the ranks of homeownership.

— peter dunn, Indianapolis Star, "Pete the Planner: First step you must take to financial security," 27 June 2018
Castro always had a predilection for wild spaces and things, says environmental historian Reinaldo Funes-Monzote of the University of Havana.

— krista stevens, Longreads, "On Saving the Cuban Crocodile from American Invasion," 22 June 2018
Castro always had a predilection for wild spaces and things, says environmental historian Reinaldo Funes-Monzote of the University of Havana.

— shanna baker, Smithsonian, "The Quest to Preserve the Last of Castro’s Crocodiles," 21 June 2018
One of the defining characteristics of the Chinese model of state capitalism—which the Trump administration loves to hate—is a predilection for redistributing profits along the value chain from strong industries to shore up weak ones.

— nathaniel taplin, WSJ, "Trump’s Steel Tariffs Could Mess With Texas," 6 June 2018
Combined with his predilection for wearing capri pants, Manning made fun of him every day.

— ben baskin, SI.com, "Davis Webb Will Be Ready When It’s Time to Step Out of Eli Manning’s Shadow," 6 June 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1742

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

predilection Synonyms

Synonyms

affection, affinity, aptitude, bent, bias, bone, devices, disposition, genius, habitude, impulse, inclination, leaning, partiality, penchant, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency, turn;

Near Antonyms

allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disinclination, dislike, disliking, disrelish, distaste;

detachment, impartiality, neutrality, objectivity;

apathy, disinterestedness, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern;

endowment, faculty, flair, genius, gift, knack, talent;

addiction, appetite, fancy, fondness, like, liking, preference, taste;

forte, speciality, specialty;

convention, custom, habit, pattern, practice (also practise), routine, trick, way, wont;

eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, kink, oddity, peculiarity, quirk, singularity;

Synonym Discussion of predilection

predilection, prepossession, prejudice, bias mean an attitude of mind that predisposes one to favor something. predilection implies a strong liking deriving from one's temperament or experience.