tendency
n. countablen. a habit or a natural way of behaving that makes you likely to do something. It describes a pattern that happens often but not every single time.
n. an inclination toward a particular characteristic or type of behaviour. Often used to describe a recurring pattern in data or human conduct.
He has a tendency to talk too much when he is nervous.
Economists have noted a tendency for prices to rise during the summer months when demand is highest.
The candidate's tendency to deviate from the party line on environmental issues has caused significant friction within the coalition's leadership.
From Medieval Latin tendentia, from tendens, present participle of tendō.
Commonly followed by the preposition 'to' and an infinitive verb, or 'towards' and a noun phrase.
a tendency of being latea tendency to be lateWhen describing an action, this noun is followed by a 'to-infinitive' rather than 'of' and a gerund.