tendency

The word “tendency” means a natural inclination to behave or happen in a particular way. In plain terms, a pattern or leaning toward doing something in a particular way.

“Tendency” is pronounced TEHN-duhn-see (/ˈtɛn.dən.si/ in IPA).

Here is “tendency” used in a sentence: “He has a tendency to interrupt people mid-sentence.”

Words with a similar meaning to “tendency” include inclination, disposition, propensity, penchant and trend.

“Tendency” is a noun.

The word “tendency” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin tendentia, from tendens, the present participle of the Latin verb tendere ("to stretch, tend toward").

“Tendency” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

A tendency is a natural inclination to behave or happen in a certain way, often without conscious effort. A habit is a settled, repeated action that has usually been learned through practice. You can have a tendency you were born with, whereas a habit is something you develop over time.

A tendency is usually a personal or inherent inclination to act a certain way. A trend is a broader, general direction of change seen across a group, market, or period of time. So an individual has tendencies, while a whole society or industry shows trends.

'Tendency' is most often followed by 'to' plus a verb, as in 'a tendency to overreact,' or by 'toward(s)' plus a noun, as in 'a tendency toward caution.' Both patterns are correct and common. 'For' is occasionally used but is less standard.

'Tendency' is neutral in itself and can describe helpful or harmful inclinations. In practice it is often used for less desirable traits, as in 'a tendency to procrastinate.' The surrounding words decide whether the tendency is good or bad.