English Reference
Noun

propensity

n. countable
C1 Advanced US /pɹəˈpɛnsɪti/ UK /pɹəpˈɛnsɪti/ propen·si·ty UK spelling propensities

n.a natural tendency to behave in a certain way. You use this when someone often does something, especially something bad.

n.an innate inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way. Often associated with habitual or characteristic patterns of conduct.


SIMPLE

He has a propensity for getting into trouble.

CONTEXTUAL

The researcher noted that certain plants show a propensity to grow toward the light even in shaded conditions.

COMPLEX

Economists have long studied the marginal propensity to consume, which measures how much extra income a household is likely to spend rather than save.

Usage

Commonly followed by the preposition 'for' plus a noun or 'to' plus an infinitive verb.

Pitfall
a propensity of violencea propensity for violence

Propensity typically takes the preposition 'for' when followed by a noun, rather than 'of'.

Usage have propensity

Announcing that she "wants it all" before these championships, Hunt, even in these early stages of her senior career, has demonstrated a propensity to thrive on major stages, and under ever-increasing expectation.

BBC News· 17 Aug 2026

Judge Cheema-Grubb said Razzell "has a propensity to violence against women and that without some recognition of that aspect of his personality he remains a danger to women who come within his milieu".

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

Learned borrowing from New Latin prōpensitās. By surface analysis, propense (“inclined, disposed”) + -ity.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated