predilection

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

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

Juarez recently described her sister as kind, confident and affable with a predilection for writing, reading and running.

— tegan hanlon, Alaska Dispatch News, "She went to a Girdwood festival in 1995, then disappeared. Her family is still seeking answers.," 23 Aug. 2017
Now, however, the Kid's predilection for purple is being officially memorialized with a custom color from Pantone made in collaboration with the Prince Estate.

— cady lang, Time, "Pantone Announces a Color in Honor of His Purpleness: Prince," 14 Aug. 2017
But less clear is how much control Kelly will have over Trump’s predilection for sowing conflict and making off-the-cuff comments on social media.

— catherine lucey, The Seattle Times, "Trump says it again: Social media is ‘only way for me to get the truth out!’," 1 Aug. 2017
The ClimaCool 1 is heavy on the mid-aughts boy band vibes, which is in line with the fashion world's current predilection for tiny sunglasses and oversized suits.

— jake woolf, GQ, "The Adidas ClimaCool Family Just Got Bigger," 28 July 2017
French director Luc Besson proved his predilection for making movies that are all about the visual spectacle.

— mark rapp, cleveland.com, "Movie capsules for July 28: "Dunkirk" & More," 27 July 2017
In surreal fashion, the new owners have opened Brigitte Tanaka, and though my name isn’t on the lease, the stock—tiny jewelry, funny dishes, lovely linens—is eerily like my own predilections.

— lynn yaeger, Vogue, "This Teeny-Tiny Paris Store Is a Treasure Trove for Chic Souvenirs," 14 July 2017
Despite their predilection for unkempt noise, Mountain Movers exhibit a strong focus on the record, with drummer Ross Menze and bassist Rock Omonte showing an impressive looseness that’s got nothing to do with sloppiness.

— peter margasak, Chicago Reader, "The Mountain Movers balance a love for overdrive with a disciplined focus," 13 July 2017
At the same time, Trump’s natural predilection for Bannon-style world-burning limits Cohn’s influence.

— bess levin, The Hive, "Is Gary Cohn the Only Thing Standing Between Us and Armageddon?," 5 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

predilection Synonyms

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.