proclivity

noun

pro·cliv·i·ty prō-ˈkli-və-tē

plural proclivities

: an inclination or predisposition toward something

especially : a strong inherent inclination toward something objectionable

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Have you always had this leaning toward wanting to know about words and their etymologies? Maybe you even have a propensity to use the featured word several times in the course of the day—due, of course, not to a proclivity for pretentiousness, but because you simply have a penchant for using a rich vocabulary. And perhaps you have a predilection for using lots of synonyms, such as proclivity (from clivus, the Latin word for "slope"), referring to a tendency usually toward something bad; propensity, suggesting an often uncontrollable inclination; penchant, meaning an irresistible attraction; and predilection, which describes a strong liking derived from one's temperament.

Choose the Right Synonym for proclivity

leaning, propensity, proclivity, penchant mean a strong instinct or liking for something.

leaning suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable.

a student with artistic leanings

propensity implies a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination.

a propensity to offer advice

proclivity suggests a strong natural proneness usually to something objectionable or evil.

a proclivity for violence

penchant implies a strongly marked taste in the person or an irresistible attraction in the object.

a penchant for taking risks

Examples of proclivity in a Sentence

showed artistic proclivities at an early age

Recent Examples on the Web

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My proclivity to shop is surprising to no one, least of all me, but what was surprising was that I had been influenced by a TV show that is, on its face, about the sweaty, masculine, occasionally gaudy world of professional basketball. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 28 Feb. 2025 Chelsea’s head coach is famously more of a chess man and this personal proclivity informs his view of how his football team should play. —Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025 Another noted fan of the look is Pharrell Williams, whose proclivity for the retro pants has made its way into his Louis Vuitton menswear. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025 Cravalho’s proclivity for florals over the course of the last few months may be a nod to the method dressing trend embraced by several stars promoting new projects. —Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proclivity