predilection

noun

pre·​di·​lec·​tion ˌpre-də-ˈlek-shən How to pronounce predilection (audio)
ˌprē-
: an established preference for something
a predilection for spicy food
… a wonderfully spunky heroine with a smart mouth, a bad attitude and a predilection for trouble. [=a tendency to get into trouble]Publishers Weekly

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Predilection Has a Versatile Latin Root

Predilection comes from French prédilection and Latin praediligere, meaning "to love more" or "to prefer." In Latin, diligere means "to love."

Choose the Right Synonym for 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.

a predilection for travel

prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to it.

a prepossession against technology

prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance.

a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar

bias implies an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against a person or thing.

a strong bias toward the plaintiff

Examples of predilection in a Sentence

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 1927–19841985
The marine sergeants are generally tall fellows with unyielding spines and stiff upper lips, and very exclusive in their tastes and predilections. Herman Melville, White Jacket, 1850
a young lad with a predilection for telling tall tales
Recent Examples on the Web But this is often undermined by the series’ predilection for smut. Lucy Ford, TIME, 24 Sep. 2024 With a predilection for anything mid-century, Recycling Retro in Woolwich is a must-stop for a quick browse. Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2024 But hospital rankings benefit from a federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services with a predilection for data not shared by the Department of Education. Ryan Craig, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024 Lee’s gay radar is poor, and his predilection for straight guys over the readily available local rent boys almost always leads to rejection. Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for predilection 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'predilection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French prédilection, from Medieval Latin praediligere to love more, prefer, from Latin prae- + diligere to love — more at diligent

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of predilection was in 1742

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Cite this Entry

“Predilection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predilection. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

predilection

noun
pre·​di·​lec·​tion ˌpred-ᵊl-ˈek-shən How to pronounce predilection (audio)
ˌprēd-
: a natural liking for something
a predilection for adventure stories

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