propensity

noun (a propensity, propensities) — formal

«propensity» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

(formal) A natural habit of behaving in a certain way, a tendency: «a propensity to tell jokes», «a propensity for getting lost». tree →

In the lessons

In stories and reports it describes someone's typical behaviour; in science it can describe how likely something is to happen. Phrases: «a propensity to», «a propensity for».

Examples

My dog has a propensity to chew socks. tree →
She has a propensity for getting into trouble. tree →
Some metals have a propensity to rust. tree →
His propensity to exaggerate made people doubt him. tree →
Cats have a propensity for sleeping in sunny spots. tree →
This rope has a propensity to tangle. tree →

Note

Countable: propensity, propensities. Use «a propensity to + verb» or «a propensity for + noun/-ing». Formal; simpler: «tendency», «habit». Not the same as «property» or «prosperity».

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «propensity» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«propensity» in the school dictionary on Mova free.

This page in Markdown → https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/propensity/