noun

tendency

TEHN-duhn-see

noun

A natural inclination to behave or happen in a particular way.

"He has a tendency to interrupt people mid-sentence."

"There's a growing tendency among young buyers to rent rather than own."

How to Use Tendency

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA pattern or leaning toward doing something in a particular way.

Common pairings

a tendency to a growing tendency natural tendency

tendencies plural

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He has a _____ to interrupt people mid-sentence.

From Medieval Latin tendentia, from tendens, the present participle of the Latin verb tendere ("to stretch, tend toward").

inclination disposition propensity penchant trend

bent power penchant trend disposition faculty inclination propensity

agency urgency potency decency regency currency clemency leniency frequency emergency residency indecency

inclination disposition propensity penchant trend bent power faculty