Predilection
/ˌprɛdɪˈlɛkʃən/
nounC1
Definition
Predilection is when someone likes something a lot or prefers it over other options. It often means a natural or usual preference that a person has for certain activities, foods, ideas, or styles.
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See It in Action
A strong liking or preference for something
- •She has a predilection for spicy food and always orders the hottest dishes.
- •His predilection for classical music shows in his large collection of CDs.
- •The artist's predilection for bright colors is clear in all her paintings.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "predilection" like "like" (A1 word), but stronger and more specific—it means you often choose or enjoy that thing more than others.
- ✓Picture someone always choosing chocolate ice cream over other flavors because they like it best.
- ✓It's the feeling when you always want to read mystery books instead of other kinds because you enjoy them more.
- ✓Sounds like "pre-DLEK-shun" → imagine someone picking a "pre" (before) favorite, like choosing their best option first.
- ✓Think of a friend who always prefers sunny days for playing outside—that natural choice is their predilection.
- ✓NOT like "interest" (which can be general and weak), predilection is a stronger, deeper liking.
- ✓NOT like "habit" (which is doing something often without thinking), predilection is about liking or preference.
- ✓NOT like "taste" (refers to physical flavor), predilection is about liking or preference in a broader sense.
Try Other Words
- •Preference: a choice or liking for one thing over another (Use when talking about choosing one thing more often)
- •Fondness: a warm liking or affection for something (Use when the liking has a gentle or emotional feeling)
- •Taste: a person's style or liking, often for art, food, or fashion (Use when referring to style or choice in culture or food)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "pre-" (before) + "dilection" (from Latin "diligere," meaning to love or choose)
- •Etymology: From Latin "praedilectio," meaning a preference or special liking
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1600s to mean a natural liking or preference for something
- •Modern usage: Used mainly in formal or literary contexts to describe strong personal likes or preferences
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a predilection you have that others might not share? How does it affect your choices?
•How might knowing someone's predilection help you understand their behavior or decisions better?
Fill in the blanks
1.Her predilection for ___ spicy food makes her always order the hottest dishes on the menu.
2.A predilection often shows a ___ liking that influences what a person usually chooses.
3.Unlike a simple interest, a predilection is a ___ and stronger preference.
4.When someone has a predilection, they tend to ___ that thing more than others.
5.You might say an artist has a predilection for bright colors if they ___ use them in their work.
6.Predilection is not just a habit; it is a ___ liking or preference.
7.If a person has a predilection for quiet places, they probably feel ___ and comfortable there.