proclivity

noun

pro·​cliv·​i·​ty prō-ˈkli-və-tē How to pronounce proclivity (audio)
plural proclivities
: an inclination or predisposition toward something
especially : a strong inherent inclination toward something objectionable

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Have you always had this leaning toward wanting to know about words and their etymologies? Maybe you even have a propensity to use the featured word several times in the course of the day—due, of course, not to a proclivity for pretentiousness, but because you simply have a penchant for using a rich vocabulary. And perhaps you have a predilection for using lots of synonyms, such as proclivity (from clivus, the Latin word for "slope"), referring to a tendency usually toward something bad; propensity, suggesting an often uncontrollable inclination; penchant, meaning an irresistible attraction; and predilection, which describes a strong liking derived from one's temperament.

Choose the Right Synonym for proclivity

leaning, propensity, proclivity, penchant mean a strong instinct or liking for something.

leaning suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable.

a student with artistic leanings

propensity implies a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination.

a propensity to offer advice

proclivity suggests a strong natural proneness usually to something objectionable or evil.

a proclivity for violence

penchant implies a strongly marked taste in the person or an irresistible attraction in the object.

a penchant for taking risks

Examples of proclivity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web No American artist better matches my existential and aesthetic proclivities than Joan Jonas, one of the great and still undersung creative figures of our time. Holland Cotter, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Paunch, who has become less timid, has a proclivity to stop and nose out every possible tree trunk, lamppost, and plinth before gracing it with a tag of his urine. Sierra Greer, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024 From the start, his parents encouraged his creative proclivities. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024 In this report that originally aired September 25, 2016, correspondent Anthony Mason talked with Osgood about his musical proclivities. David Morgan, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2024 The hole in a roll of tape, a donut, etc. Shetty's learned that Tek developed a brain tumor that gave him a bizarre proclivity to… make love to these holes (hence the name of his show, and this episode's title). Alex Raiman, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023 The Storm Trails feel purpose-built for those with adventurous proclivities. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 The gap in personal proclivities of those occupying Senate seats was very obvious during the many years when Feinstein, an uber-serious lawmaker, and Barbara Boxer, who fancied herself a political warrior, were California’s two senators. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 A lot of these can be learned, and certain people have a proclivity for certain styles of leadership. Vinesh Sukumaran, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proclivity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin proclivitas, from proclivis sloping, prone, from pro- forward + clivus slope — more at pro-, declivity

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of proclivity was in 1561

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Dictionary Entries Near proclivity

Cite this Entry

“Proclivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proclivity. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

proclivity

noun
pro·​cliv·​i·​ty prō-ˈkliv-ət-ē How to pronounce proclivity (audio)
plural proclivities
: a natural tendency of the mind or personality
showed artistic proclivities at an early age
especially : such a tendency toward something bad
a proclivity for violence

More from Merriam-Webster on proclivity

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