predilection

noun

pre·di·lec·tion | \ ˌpre-də-ˈlek-shən

, ˌprē-\

Definition of predilection

: an established preference for something a predilection for spicy food … a wonderfully spunky heroine with a smart mouth, a bad attitude and a predilection for trouble. [=a tendency to get into trouble] — Publishers Weekly

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Predilection Has a Versatile Latin Root More Example Sentences Learn More about predilection

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Choose the Right Synonym for predilection

predilection, prepossession, prejudice, bias mean an attitude of mind that predisposes one to favor something. predilection implies a strong liking deriving from one's temperament or experience. a predilection for travel prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to it. a prepossession against technology prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance. a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar bias implies an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against a person or thing. a strong bias toward the plaintiff

Predilection Has a Versatile Latin Root

Do you have a predilection for words whose histories conjure up colorful images of Wild West heroes, medieval knaves, Arabian princes, and intemperate gods, or are words with straightforward Latin roots more your style? If you favor the latter, you'll love "predilection." It's based on the Latin verb legere, which means "to gather" or "to read." That versatile root is also the source of many other familiar English words, including "collect," "lesson," "sacrilege," and "legume."

Examples of predilection in a Sentence

The predilection of certain upper-class Englishmen toward eccentricity and playacting lent itself well to this endeavor. — Robert D. Kaplan, The Arabists, 1993 Even seated in the witness chair, he did not remove the light-colored, belted raincoat that, in common with knee-high boots, is a predilection of the Nazi-minded and that, in his case, was nearly identical to the raincoat Hitler habitually wore. — Kay Boyle, "Preface from the Smoking …," 1950, in Words that Must Somehow be Said: Selected Essays of Kay Boyle 1927–1984, 1985 The marine sergeants are generally tall fellows with unyielding spines and stiff upper lips, and very exclusive in their tastes and predilections. — Herman Melville, White Jacket, 1850 a young lad with a predilection for telling tall tales

Recent Examples on the Web

The predilections of Cashman, who has run the team’s baseball operations department since 1998, have never been a secret. — Andy Mccullough, latimes.com, "Yankees shrug off injuries to set records, dominate AL East," 29 June 2019 That form of visual storytelling mimicked Deadwood’s predilection for playing around with the idea of humanity as one, massive ecosystem. — Emily Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "Orange Is the New Black," 27 July 2019 Brooklyn Nets: Luka Samanic, F, International The tall and slender Samanic fits the team’s recent predilection for European picks. 18. — The Si Staff, SI.com, "Social Media Mock Draft: What NBA Fans Are Saying About Their Team's Pick," 19 June 2019 Globalization did not happen by government design, and it will not be dismantled by political predilections. — Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, "Globalization Is Moving Past the U.S. and Its Vision of World Order," 19 June 2019 Political predilections were dominant when the Obama administration inserted the SCC into its regulatory agenda. — WSJ, "Debating the Social Cost of CO2 Emissions," 25 Oct. 2018 Cantankerous, suspicious and with a predilection for conspiracy theories, Mr. Perot gave voice to voters’ frustrations about wars, inflation and partisan politics. — Washington Post, "H. Ross Perot, eccentric billionaire who made two independent runs for president, dies at 89," 9 July 2019 Most creators also admitted to some anxiety linked to the left’s predilection for internecine conflict. — Shaan Amin, The New Republic, "Can the Left Win YouTube?," 2 July 2019 Kids was mired in the predilections and obsessions of Korine and the director/photographer Larry Clark. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "Euphoria’s Familiar Moral Panic," 19 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'predilection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for predilection

predilection

noun

English Language Learners Definition of predilection

formal : a natural liking for something : a tendency to do or to be attracted to something

See the full definition for predilection in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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predilection

Definition of predilection

Synonyms for predilection

Choose the Right Synonym for predilection

Predilection Has a Versatile Latin Root

Examples of predilection in a Sentence

First Known Use of predilection

History and Etymology for predilection

English Language Learners Definition of predilection

predilection

Definition of predilection

Synonyms for predilection

Choose the Right Synonym for predilection

Predilection Has a Versatile Latin Root

Examples of predilection in a Sentence

First Known Use of predilection

History and Etymology for predilection

English Language Learners Definition of predilection

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