Word
predisposition
Phoneticspre·dis·po·si·tion
US/ˌpɹidɪspəˈzɪʃən/
UK/pɹiːdˌɪspəzˈɪʃən/
Definition
n. a natural tendency or a hidden quality that makes you more likely to do or feel something. It can be a good or bad habit that you are born with or develop early in life.
n. a natural tendency or a hidden quality that inclines a person toward a specific action, feeling, or condition. Often used in medical or psychological contexts to describe a genetic or environmental susceptibility.
Examples
“He has a natural predisposition for learning new languages.”
“While the patient's family history suggests a genetic predisposition to heart disease, a healthy diet can significantly reduce the risk.”
“The researcher argued that while environmental factors are significant, a genetic predisposition toward certain personality traits often determines how individuals respond to high-stress situations.”
Examples
simple
“He has a natural predisposition for learning new languages.”
contextual
“While the patient's family history suggests a genetic predisposition to heart disease, a healthy diet can significantly reduce the risk.”
complex
“The researcher argued that while environmental factors are significant, a genetic predisposition toward certain personality traits often determines how individuals respond to high-stress situations.”
Real-World Examples
“Climate change, while not the only cause of the disaster, was a "destabilising factor acting on a pre-existing geological predisposition", the study said.” “Researchers are also interested in whether improving sleep could eventually help prevent or slow disease progression among people with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's.” Etymology
From pre- + disposition.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/predisposition