tendency

[ten-duhn-see]

noun

plural

tendencies 

1. a natural or prevailing disposition to move, proceed, or act in some direction or toward some point, end, or result.

   the tendency of falling bodies toward the earth.

2. an inclination, bent, or predisposition to something.

   a tendency to talk too much.

   Synonyms: leaning, proclivity

3. a special and definite purpose in a novel or other literary work.

tendency

/ ˈtɛndənsɪ /

noun

1. (often foll by to) an inclination, predisposition, propensity, or leaning

   she has a tendency to be frivolous

   a tendency to frivolity

2. the general course, purport, or drift of something, esp a written work

3. a faction, esp one within a political party

   the militant tendency

Other Word Forms

• countertendency noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tendency¹

From the Medieval Latin word tendentia, dating back to 1620–30. See tend ¹, -ency

Word History and Origins

Origin of tendency¹

C17: from Medieval Latin tendentia, from Latin tendere to _tend ¹

Synonym Study

Tendency, direction, trend, drift refer to inclination or line of action or movement. A tendency is an inclination toward a certain line of action (whether or not the action follows), and is often the result of inherent qualities, nature, or habit: a tendency to procrastinate. Direction is the line along which an object or course of action moves, often toward some set point or intended goal: The change is in the direction of improvement. Trend emphasizes simultaneous movement in a certain direction of a number of factors, although the course or goal may not be clear for any single feature: Business indicators showed a downward trend. Drift emphasizes gradual development as well as direction: the drift of his argument.

Example Sentences

Her tendency to brush through political controversies gave her an air of untouchability, with some dubbing her "Teflon Ang".

From BBC

But here's the kicker - Sabalenka's tendency to combust at a critical juncture means only three of those have resulted in titles.

From BBC

His father was a classical-music obsessive; his mother, an artist — tendencies that, at the time, were considered antithetical to working-class life.

From Los Angeles Times

With these schemes based on playing with fewer touches, players who have a tendency to take more - or play centrally - such as Mainoo, are less natural fits.

From BBC

But this movie exported a specific brand of American identity and our tendency toward historical avoidance around the world.

From Salon

Related Words

• bias 
• habit 
• impulse 
• leaning 
• penchant 
• propensity 
• shift 
• trend 
• type 
• weakness