Penchant
/ˈpɑːntʃənt/
nounC1
Definition
A penchant means that someone really likes something or often chooses to do it. It is more than just a small interest; it is a clear habit or strong preference for a particular thing or activity. People with a penchant often find themselves drawn to that thing without much effort.
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See It in Action
A strong liking or preference for something
- •She has a penchant for spicy food and always orders the hottest dishes.
- •His penchant for classical music started when he was a child.
- •They showed a penchant for adventure by traveling to remote places.
A natural tendency to behave in a certain way
- •He has a penchant for arriving late to meetings.
- •Her penchant for helping others makes her a great volunteer.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "penchant" like "like," but much stronger and more regular—like a habit or favorite thing you always choose
- ✓Picture someone who always picks chocolate ice cream because they just love it a lot and do it often
- ✓It's the feeling when you find yourself always reading books about a certain topic because you enjoy it deeply
- ✓Sounds like "PEN-chent" → imagine writing (pen) your favorite choice again and again, showing your strong liking
- ✓Think of a friend who always wears hats because they have a penchant for hats—they do it naturally and often
- ✓NOT like "interest" (can be weak or new), "penchant" is a deep, long-lasting liking
- ✓NOT like "habit" (just repeating without liking), "penchant" includes strong positive feeling and choice
- ✓NOT like "obsession" (too strong and negative), "penchant" is a positive and natural preference
Try Other Words
- •Preference: a greater liking for one thing over others (Use when focusing on choice rather than habit)
- •Taste: personal liking or style, especially in arts or food (Use when talking about style or fashion)
- •Fondness: warm liking or affection (Use when feeling is gentle and emotional)
- •Inclination: a natural tendency to do something (Use when focusing on behavior or habit)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix) — "penchant" is a whole word borrowed as is
- •Etymology: From French "pencher," meaning "to lean" or "to incline," showing a leaning toward something
- •Historical development: Entered English in the 17th century meaning a strong liking or tendency
- •Modern usage: Used to describe strong preferences or natural tendencies in people’s tastes or behaviors
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a penchant you have that surprises other people? Why do you think you like it so much?
•How might having a penchant for something affect your decisions in everyday life?
Fill in the blanks
1.She has a penchant for ___ spicy food, so she always chooses the hottest dishes on the menu.
2.His penchant for ___ late caused him to miss the beginning of many meetings.
3.Unlike a simple interest, a penchant shows a strong ___ or habit toward something.
4.People with a penchant for adventure often ___ to explore new and unknown places.
5.A penchant usually means a natural ___ or liking, not just a one-time choice.
6.When someone has a penchant for music, they tend to ___ listening or playing it often.
7.Unlike an obsession, a penchant is a positive and ___ preference or habit.