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noun

penchant

PON-shon

Penchant (noun) means a strong liking or natural tendency toward something. Example: “He has a penchant for expensive watches.”

noun
1
A strong liking or natural tendency toward something.
"He has a penchant for expensive watches."
"She's always had a penchant for dramatic entrances."

How to use penchant

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA strong fondness or leaning toward doing or having something.

Common pairings
a penchant for have a penchant

Word forms

penchants plural

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He has a _____ for expensive watches.

Etymology

From French penchant, literally "leaning" or "tilting," from pencher ("to lean").

Origin: French

Related words

Rhymes for penchant

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Frequently asked questions

What does “penchant” mean?

The word “penchant” means a strong liking or natural tendency toward something. In plain terms, a strong fondness or leaning toward doing or having something.

How do you pronounce “penchant”?

“Penchant” is pronounced PON-shon (/ˈpɛnt͡ʃənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “penchant” in a sentence?

Here is “penchant” used in a sentence: “He has a penchant for expensive watches.”

What is another word for “penchant”?

Words with a similar meaning to “penchant” include desire.

What part of speech is “penchant”?

“Penchant” is a noun.

Where does the word “penchant” come from?

The word “penchant” comes from French. From French penchant, literally "leaning" or "tilting," from pencher ("to lean").

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial