propensity
noun
An inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way; a proneness or predisposition.
Etymology
From Latin propensus meaning "hanging forward, inclined," past participle of propendere (to hang forward, incline), from pro- (forward) + pendere (to hang).
Examples in Use
- 1.
"Children have a natural propensity for learning languages."
- 2.
"His propensity for exaggeration made his stories hard to believe."
- 3.
"The region has a propensity for earthquakes due to its geology."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
The metaphor of "hanging forward" perfectly captures how propensities work - we lean toward certain behaviors as if gravity were pulling us, even when we try to resist.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 10 letters (P, R, O, P, E, N, S, I, T, Y)
Scrabble Value: 17 points
Tip: The letter pattern in "PROPENSITY" appears in many related words.
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