penchant
noun
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What is the Difference Between penchant, leaning, propensity, And proclivity?
Like its synonyms leaning, propensity, and proclivity, penchant implies a strong instinct or liking for something. But these four words, while similar, are also distinguished by subtle differences. Leaning usually suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable ("a student with artistic leanings"), whereas propensity tends to imply a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination ("a propensity to offer advice"). Proclivity frequently suggests a strong, natural proneness to something objectionable or evil ("a proclivity for violence"). Penchant, a descendant of Latin pendere (meaning "to weigh"), typically implies a strongly marked taste in the person ("a penchant for jazz music") or an irresistible attraction in the object ("a penchant for taking risks").
Synonyms
Examples of penchant in a Sentence
Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans Matters, 2005
Whether manifested in feminine decor or in an approach to teaching that assumes a female penchant for cooperative, or "connected," learning, stereotypical notions of femininity often infect institutions for women and girls.
—Wendy Kaminer, Atlantic, April 1998
From both her father and mother she had inherited a penchant for art, literature, philosophy, and music. Already at eighteen she was dreaming of painting, singing, writing poetry, writing books, acting—anything and everything.
—Theodore Dreiser, The Titan, 1914
a penchant for sitting by the window and staring moodily off into space
Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Photo : Getty/Patek Philippe Lil Yachty: Patek Philippe Nautilus Flyback Chronograph
Lil Yachty clearly has a penchant for Patek Philippe.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
Back in Britain, William made a comment that, knowingly or otherwise, hinted at the maelstrom over his wife’s penchant for visual creativity.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2024
On paper, a remake of Dennis Potter’s exquisite TV drama Pennies From Heaven starring Martin as a bruised romantic with a penchant for lip-syncing Depression-era tunes seems intriguing.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2024
Related Stories Michele honed his penchant for idiosyncratic looks while working for Karl Lagerfeld at Fendi and for Tom Ford at Gucci.
—Merle Ginsberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Mar. 2024
Everett talks with correspondent Martha Teichner about his writing, his artwork, and his penchant for privacy.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2024
Continuing the company's recent penchant for hiding text on watches, Omega placed a quote from Snoopy’s comic strip in the moons and stars that can be seen under UV light.
—Jeremy White, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2024
At home, my mom bought regular jugs of liquid orange juice, so what was my grandmother’s penchant for preparing her own?
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'penchant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near penchant
Cite this Entry
“Penchant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penchant. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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penchant
noun
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