Words / C2

pr-uh-KLIV-uh-tee/prəˈklɪvəti/

A proclivity is a natural leaning towards something you keep doing. Formal writing uses it instead of tendency, sometimes with a hint of vice (a proclivity for gossip). In speech he tends to…; proclivity can sound like a psychologist’s note.

Meaning

A natural tendency to like or do something, often repeatedly.

Examples

• “He has a proclivity for long sentences.”
• “The paper shows a proclivity for dramatic headlines.”
• “She never hid her proclivity for night work.”

Good to know

a proclivity for + noun/-ing. Everyday: tendency.

Near in meaning

tendency

New