propensity
4 synonyms for propensity, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A natural tendency or inclination to behave or think in a particular way.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use propensity
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a propensity for violence
a propensity to lie
natural propensity
Fairly formal — "tendency" or "knack" work better in everyday speech.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from New Latin propensitas, built from propense ("inclined, disposed") plus -ity.
Full origin of propensity →Frequently asked questions
What does “propensity” mean?
The word “propensity” means a natural tendency or inclination to behave or think in a particular way. In plain terms, a built-in tendency to do or lean toward something, often used for habits or personality traits.
How do you pronounce “propensity”?
“Propensity” is pronounced pruh-PEHN-sih-tee (/pɹəˈpɛnsɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “propensity” in a sentence?
Here is “propensity” used in a sentence: “He has a propensity for exaggeration when telling stories.”
What part of speech is “propensity”?
“Propensity” is a noun.
Where does the word “propensity” come from?
The word “propensity” comes from New Latin. A learned borrowing from New Latin propensitas, built from propense ("inclined, disposed") plus -ity.
Is “propensity” a common word?
“Propensity” is an uncommon word in modern English.
