Proclivity
/prəˈklɪvɪti/
nounC1
Definition
Proclivity means a natural habit or strong tendency to behave in a certain way. It often refers to something a person does often, especially if it is not always good or usual. It shows what someone is naturally drawn to or prefers without needing to think much.
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See It in Action
A natural tendency or habit to do something, often repeatedly
- •She has a proclivity for learning new languages quickly.
- •His proclivity to help others makes him a good friend.
- •Some people have a proclivity toward being shy in social situations.
A natural liking for something, especially something unusual or not always good
- •He showed a proclivity for risky behavior when driving too fast.
- •The artist had a proclivity for bold colors in her paintings.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'proclivity' like 'habit,' but stronger and often something you are naturally born with, not just learned
- ✓Picture a person who always chooses to read books instead of playing games—that is their proclivity for reading
- ✓It's the feeling when you find yourself doing the same thing again and again without trying, like always smiling when nervous
- ✓Sounds like 'pro-cliv-i-ty' → Imagine a PROfessional CLIMBING a mountain; climbing is their natural tendency, something they do easily
- ✓Think of Harry Potter’s proclivity for magic—he naturally uses magic more than others
- ✓NOT like 'choice' (which is a decision you make), 'proclivity' is more like an inner pull or natural liking that happens almost automatically
- ✓NOT like 'interest' (which can be temporary), 'proclivity' is deeper and often part of who you are
- ✓NOT like 'addiction' (which is harmful and hard to stop), 'proclivity' can be good or bad and is simply a natural tendency
Try Other Words
- •Tendency: natural direction or habit (Use when you want to talk about a general habit or leaning, less formal)
- •Inclination: a feeling or preference to do something (Use when talking about personal feelings or choices, often softer)
- •Preference: liking something more than other things (Use when talking about what someone likes best, less about natural habits)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: 'pro-' (forward or in favor of) + 'clivity' (from Latin 'clivus,' meaning slope or leaning) → literally 'a leaning forward'
- •Etymology: From Latin 'proclivitas,' meaning a slope or natural inclination
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe physical slopes, later used metaphorically for natural tendencies or habits
- •Modern usage: Used mostly to describe natural habits or tendencies in behavior or preferences, often in formal or academic language
Reflect & Connect
•Can a proclivity be changed, or is it always a natural part of who we are?
•How do proclivities affect the choices we make every day without realizing it?
Fill in the blanks
1.People with a proclivity for ___ often find themselves practicing without much effort.
2.His proclivity to ___ made him popular among his friends.
3.Unlike a simple preference, a proclivity usually shows a ___ or deep natural habit.
4.When someone has a proclivity for ___ behavior, it can sometimes cause problems.
5.She showed a strong proclivity ___ learning new skills quickly.
6.A proclivity is different from a choice because it happens more ___ and naturally.
7.You can often tell someone's proclivity by watching what they do ___ without thinking.