predilection
noun
pre·di·lec·tion
ˌpre-də-ˈlek-shən 
ˌprē-
: an established preference for something
a predilection for spicy food
… a wonderfully spunky heroine with a smart mouth, a bad attitude and a predilection for trouble. [=a tendency to get into trouble]—
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
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Predilection Has a Versatile Latin Root
Predilection comes from French prédilection and Latin praediligere, meaning "to love more" or "to prefer." In Latin, diligere means "to love."
Synonyms
Examples of predilection in a Sentence
The predilection of certain upper-class Englishmen toward eccentricity and playacting lent itself well to this endeavor.
—Robert D. Kaplan, The Arabists, 1993
Even seated in the witness chair, he did not remove the light-colored, belted raincoat that, in common with knee-high boots, is a predilection of the Nazi-minded and that, in his case, was nearly identical to the raincoat Hitler habitually wore.
—Kay Boyle, "Preface from the Smoking …," 1950,
in Words that Must Somehow be Said: Selected Essays of Kay Boyle 1927–1984, 1985
The marine sergeants are generally tall fellows with unyielding spines and stiff upper lips, and very exclusive in their tastes and predilections.
—Herman Melville, White Jacket, 1850
a young lad with a predilection for telling tall tales
Robert D. Kaplan, The Arabists, 1993
Even seated in the witness chair, he did not remove the light-colored, belted raincoat that, in common with knee-high boots, is a predilection of the Nazi-minded and that, in his case, was nearly identical to the raincoat Hitler habitually wore.
—Kay Boyle, "Preface from the Smoking …," 1950,
in Words that Must Somehow be Said: Selected Essays of Kay Boyle 1927–1984, 1985
The marine sergeants are generally tall fellows with unyielding spines and stiff upper lips, and very exclusive in their tastes and predilections.
—Herman Melville, White Jacket, 1850
a young lad with a predilection for telling tall tales
Recent Examples on the Web
Given our predilection for instant gratification, cutting out seeds could alter the American diet for the better.
—Charlotte Lytton, Vox, 5 Sep. 2024
Frozen and Tangled proved that princess stories could be handled via computer, yet the studio found one of its biggest hits by echoing Pixar’s predilection for mismatched buddies.
—Josh Spiegel, Vulture, 24 July 2024
This year, only 32.8 percent of Democrats said yes—a substantial decline that comports with their political interests and ideological predilections.
—Ronald R. Krebs, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2021
But this is often undermined by the series’ predilection for smut.
—Lucy Ford, TIME, 24 Sep. 2024
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Charlotte Lytton, Vox, 5 Sep. 2024
Frozen and Tangled proved that princess stories could be handled via computer, yet the studio found one of its biggest hits by echoing Pixar’s predilection for mismatched buddies.
—Josh Spiegel, Vulture, 24 July 2024
This year, only 32.8 percent of Democrats said yes—a substantial decline that comports with their political interests and ideological predilections.
—Ronald R. Krebs, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2021
But this is often undermined by the series’ predilection for smut.
—Lucy Ford, TIME, 24 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for predilection
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Dictionary Entries Near predilection
Cite this Entry
“Predilection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predilection. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
predilection
noun
pre·di·lec·tion
ˌpred-ᵊl-ˈek-shən
ˌprēd-
: a natural liking for something
a predilection for adventure stories
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