Words / C2

POSH-o/ˈpɒ̃ʃɒ̃/

A penchant is a strong liking: a penchant for long sentences. Liking is everyday; fondness is close; taste can be more cultivated; weakness for is informal and slightly guilty. Penchant for is the set pattern. In speech, a liking for or a thing for is enough. Slightly French and formal. It is milder than obsession and stronger than a passing preference.

Meaning

A strong liking for something (a penchant for).

Examples

• “He has a penchant for long opening sentences.”
• “He has a penchant for footnotes that belong in the main text.”
• “Her penchant for understatement made the praise land harder.”

Good to know

a penchant for. A strong liking. Everyday: a liking / a thing for. Close: fondness. Formal; not an obsession.

Near in meaning

fondness

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