Propensity — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /prə-ˈpen(t)-sə-tē/ pro·pen·si·ty

Meaning & Definition of Propensity

Propensity (noun)

  1. an often intense natural inclination or preference

Propensity (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an established pattern of behavior

    "the criminal propensities of the family extended over several generations"

    similar: aptness, proneness, tendency, way
    related: affinity, aptitude, bent, disposition, inclination, leaning, mind-set, partiality, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, turn, custom, habit, pattern, practice, routine, wont, eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, oddity, peculiarity, quirk, singularity, trick
    near: averseness, disinclination, dislike, indisposition

  2. a habitual attraction to some activity or thing

    "a neighbor who has an unfortunate propensity for snooping"

    similar: affection, affinity, aptitude, bent, bias, bone, devices, disposition, genius, habitude, impulse, inclination, leaning, partiality, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, tendency, turn
    related: favor, one-sidedness, partisanship, prejudice, endowment, faculty, flair, gift, knack, talent, addiction, appetite, fancy, fondness, like, liking, preference, taste, forte, speciality, specialty, convention, custom, habit, pattern, practice, routine, trick, way, wont, eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, kink, oddity, peculiarity, quirk, singularity
    near: allergy, averseness, aversion, disfavor, disinclination, dislike, disliking, disrelish, distaste, detachment, impartiality, neutrality, objectivity, apathy, disinterestedness, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Propensity

The most common words with a similar meaning to Propensity:

aptness, proneness, tendency, way, affection, affinity, aptitude, bent, bias, bone, devices, disposition, genius, habitude, impulse, inclination, leaning, partiality, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, turn

Related Words for Propensity

mind-set, custom, habit, pattern, practice, routine, wont, eccentricity, idiosyncrasy, oddity, peculiarity, quirk, singularity, trick, favor, one-sidedness, partisanship, prejudice, endowment, faculty, flair, gift, knack, talent, addiction, appetite, fancy, fondness, like, liking

Near Antonyms of Propensity

averseness, disinclination, dislike, indisposition, allergy, aversion, disfavor, disliking, disrelish, distaste, detachment, impartiality, neutrality, objectivity, apathy, disinterestedness, indifference, insouciance, nonchalance, unconcern

Word Forms of Propensity

Inflections: propensities

Origin & Etymology of Propensity

borrowed from New Latin prōpensitāt-, prōpensitās, from Latin prōpensus "weighted down, inclined, having a disposition or tendency" + -itāt-, -itās -ity propense

First known use: 1570

Frequently Asked Questions about Propensity

What does "Propensity" mean?

"Propensity" means an often intense natural inclination or preference. As a noun, it is defined as: an often intense natural inclination or preference. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Propensity"?

Other words for "Propensity" include aptness, proneness, tendency, way, affection, affinity, aptitude and bent. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Propensity" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Propensity"?

There are 60 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Propensity". Common alternatives include aptness, proneness, tendency, way, affection, affinity, aptitude, bent, bias and bone.

How do you use "Propensity" in a sentence?

Examples of "Propensity" in a sentence: "the criminal propensities of the family extended over several generations"; "a neighbor who has an unfortunate propensity for snooping".

Is "Propensity" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Propensity" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Propensity"?

"Propensity" is pronounced /prə-ˈpen(t)-sə-tē/ and divided into syllables as pro·pen·si·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Propensity"?

"Propensity" comes from borrowed from New Latin prōpensitāt-, prōpensitās, from Latin prōpensus "weighted down, inclined, having a disposition or tendency" + -itāt-, -itās -ity propense. First known use: 1570.

What is another word for "Propensity" meaning "an established pattern of behavior"?

When "Propensity" (noun) means an established pattern of behavior, synonyms include aptness, proneness, tendency and way.