Propensity
/prəˈpɛn.sɪ.ti/
nounC1
Definition
Propensity is when a person or thing naturally tends to behave in a certain way or to do something regularly. It shows a strong habit or a usual way of acting that feels natural. For example, someone might have a propensity to be kind or to worry a lot.
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See It in Action
A natural tendency or habit to act in a certain way
- •She has a propensity for helping others in need.
- •His propensity to get nervous before exams is well known.
- •The dog’s propensity to bark at strangers can be annoying.
A strong likelihood or inclination toward something
- •There is a propensity for accidents on this slippery road.
- •Children show a propensity to learn languages quickly.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'propensity' like 'habit' (A1 word), but it is more about a natural or strong tendency, not just something you do sometimes.
- ✓Picture a river that always flows in the same direction because it finds the easiest path—that is the river’s propensity.
- ✓It’s the feeling when you find yourself doing something again and again without thinking, like always smiling when you see a friend.
- ✓Sounds like 'pro-PEN-si-tee' → imagine a pen that always points in the same direction because it has a natural habit to do so.
- ✓Think of a cat that naturally likes to climb trees—this natural liking is its propensity.
- ✓NOT like 'choice' (something you decide to do), propensity is more automatic or natural.
- ✓NOT like 'random' (no pattern), propensity shows a clear, usual pattern or habit.
- ✓NOT like 'rule' (a law or order), propensity is about natural behavior, not something forced.
Try Other Words
- •Tendency: a general way of behaving or thinking (Use when you want to talk about usual behavior but less formal)
- •Inclination: a preference or liking for something (Use when emphasizing personal choice or feeling)
- •Habit: a repeated action done regularly (Use when the focus is on repeated behavior, not necessarily natural)
- •Liking: a feeling of enjoying something (Use when the focus is on preference or enjoyment)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: 'pro-' (forward, in favor of) + 'pens' from Latin 'pendere' meaning to hang or weigh + '-ity' (a noun suffix meaning state or condition)
- •Etymology: From Latin 'propensus,' past participle of 'propendere,' meaning to lean forward or be inclined
- •Historical development: Originally meaning physical leaning or inclination, later used for mental or behavioral tendencies
- •Modern usage: Used to describe natural habits or tendencies in people, animals, or things, often in psychology or formal speech
- •Key insight: Propensity is about an inward leaning or natural pull toward a behavior or action
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when your propensity to act a certain way helped or caused a problem?
•How might understanding someone’s propensity help you work or live better with them?
Fill in the blanks
1.People with a propensity ___ worry often may need to practice relaxation techniques.
2.His propensity ___ speak loudly makes him easy to hear in a crowd.
3.Unlike a random choice, a propensity shows a ___ pattern of behavior.
4.When someone has a strong propensity ___ kindness, they usually help others without being asked.
5.The dog’s propensity ___ bark at strangers sometimes causes problems for visitors.
6.A person’s propensity ___ make quick decisions can be both good and bad.
7.You can often see a child’s propensity ___ learn languages by how quickly they pick up new words.