propensity
natural tendency or inclination
Roots
- pend / pens: hang, weigh, lean, or be suspended
- pro-: forward, forth, outward, or in favor of
Other words with the pend / pens root
- compendium: a concise collection or summary
- depend: to rely on or hang from for support
- dispense: to distribute or give out
- indispensable: absolutely necessary; impossible to do without
- penchant: strong liking or tendency
- pending: not yet decided or settled
- pendulum: swinging weight hung from a fixed point
- pensive: quietly thoughtful, often with sadness
Propensity is a leaning built into behavior.
He had a propensity to overthink the easiest questions.
Propensity is tendency with gravity in it. A person, habit, or system leans one way unless something pushes it back.