tendency
TEHN-duhn-see
Tendency (noun) means a natural inclination to behave or happen in a particular way. Example: “Cats have a natural tendency to chase anything that moves quickly.”
noun
1
A natural inclination to behave or happen in a particular way.
"Cats have a natural tendency to chase anything that moves quickly."
"He has a tendency to interrupt people mid-sentence."
"There's a growing tendency among young buyers to rent rather than own."
How to use tendency
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pattern or leaning toward doing something in a particular way.
Common pairings
a tendency to
a growing tendency
natural tendency
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Word forms
- Plural
- tendencies
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Cats have a natural _____ to chase anything that moves quickly.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin tendentia, from tendens, the present participle of the Latin verb tendere ("to stretch, tend toward").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tendency
agency
latency
urgency
potency
decency
regency
currency
clemency
leniency
frequency
emergency
residency
See all rhymes for tendency →
Frequently asked questions
What does “tendency” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “tendency”?
“Tendency” is pronounced TEHN-duhn-see (/ˈtɛn.dən.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “tendency” in a sentence?
Here is “tendency” used in a sentence: “He has a tendency to interrupt people mid-sentence.”
What is another word for “tendency”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tendency” include inclination, disposition, propensity, penchant and trend.
What part of speech is “tendency”?
“Tendency” is a noun.
Where does the word “tendency” come from?
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").
Is “tendency” a common word?
“Tendency” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a 'tendency' and a 'habit'?
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.
What is the difference between 'tendency' and 'trend'?
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.
What preposition follows 'tendency'?
'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.
Is 'tendency' positive or negative?
'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.
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