propensity

noun

pro·​pen·​si·​ty prə-ˈpen(t)-sə-tē 

plural propensities

: an often intense natural inclination or preference

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You'll Like the Etymology of Propensity

When it comes to synonyms of propensity, the letter "p" predominates. Proclivity, preference, penchant, and predilection all share with propensity the essential meaning of "a strong instinct or liking." Not every word that is similar in meaning to propensity begins with "p," however. Propensity comes from Latin propensus, the past participle of propendēre, a verb meaning "to incline" or "to hang forward or down." Thus leaning and inclination are as good synonyms of propensity as any of those "p"-words.

Synonyms

• aptness
• proneness
• tendency
• way

Choose the Right Synonym for propensity

leaning, propensity, proclivity, penchant mean a strong instinct or liking for something.

leaning suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable.

a student with artistic leanings

propensity implies a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination.

a propensity to offer advice

proclivity suggests a strong natural proneness usually to something objectionable or evil.

a proclivity for violence

penchant implies a strongly marked taste in the person or an irresistible attraction in the object.

a penchant for taking risks

Examples of propensity in a Sentence

Other researches are exploring how the adolescent propensity for uninhibited risk taking propels teens to experiment with drugs and alcohol. —Claudia Wallis, Time, 10 May 2004

On the other hand, a jury might be convinced that a meth dealer who had brazenly fired a pistol through his door had a propensity for violence. —John Cloud, Time, 14 July 2003

A central tenet of this camp's proponents is that a considerable number of biological dispositions evolved during the Stone Age, including a male propensity for making war. —Bruce Bower, Science News, 27 Jan. 2001

He had a propensity for crime.

the criminal propensities of the family extended over several generations

Recent Examples on the Web

Ask yourself the following questions: What will close any gap in their propensity to be aligned, and are they set up to succeed? —Dominik Szot, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Jurickson Profar should be fined by MLB for this inflammatory conduct because of its propensity for inciting exactly what occurred. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2024

Sun Exposure: Part to full shade Soil Type: Moist, well-draining, rich Soil pH: Slightly acidic to Neutral (6.5-7.5) USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9 Hostas are well known for their showy foliage—and their propensity to attract slugs and snails. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024

The head of the British head of state stood lower by at least a foot than that of her American counterpart; owing to her propensity for wearing broad-brimmed hats, the challenge of maintaining eye contact might have daunted even the most emotionally intelligent of statesmen. —Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin prōpensitāt-, prōpensitās, from Latin prōpensus "weighted down, inclined, having a disposition or tendency" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at propense

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

propensity

noun

pro·​pen·​si·​ty prə-ˈpen(t)-sət-ē 

plural propensities

: a natural inclination or liking : bent

a propensity for bright colors

a propensity to daydream