[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/propensity/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [P](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/p/) / propensity

# propensity

noun (a propensity, propensities) — formal

«propensity» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

(formal) A natural habit of behaving in a certain way, a tendency: «a propensity to tell jokes», «a propensity for getting lost». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/propensity/#m1)

### In the lessons

In stories and reports it describes someone's typical behaviour; in science it can describe how likely something is to happen. Phrases: «a propensity to», «a propensity for».

### Examples

- My dog has a propensity to chew socks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/propensity/#x1)
- She has a propensity for getting into trouble. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/propensity/#x2)
- Some metals have a propensity to rust. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/propensity/#x3)
- His propensity to exaggerate made people doubt him. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/propensity/#x4)
- Cats have a propensity for sleeping in sunny spots. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/propensity/#x5)
- This rope has a propensity to tangle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/propensity/#x6)

### Note

Countable: propensity, propensities. Use «a propensity to + verb» or «a propensity for + noun/-ing». Formal; simpler: «tendency», «habit». Not the same as «property» or «prosperity».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «propensity» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/propensity/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«propensity» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/propensity.html) on Mova free.