easy
My dog has a tendency to nap after lunch.
What does Tendency mean?
a usual pattern or habit-like way of acting.
Dictionary definition
A tendency is a usual way of acting, thinking, or happening, or a habit-like pattern that is likely to happen again.
Example sentences
Tendency in a sentence
medium
The graph showed a tendency for temperatures to rise in the afternoon.
hard
A reader can notice a character's tendency by watching what the character does again and again.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Tendency
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does tendency mean?
Tendency means a usual pattern or habit-like way of acting.
Practice 2
Which word or phrase is closest in meaning to tendency?
Pattern is closest because it matches the meaning of tendency in this context.
Practice 3
Choose the best word to complete the sentence: My dog has a ____ to nap after lunch.
Tendency best completes the sentence.
Practice complete
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Tendency
Voice settings
Sounds like
ten · duhn · see · strongest beat: ten
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordTendency.
Partnoun.
MeaningTendency means a usual pattern or habit-like way of acting.
ExampleExample: My dog has a tendency to nap after lunch.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- ten · duhn · see
- Strongest beat
- ten
- Ending
- see
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on ten.
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Synonyms
Words like Tendency
habitSomething someone often does.
patternSomething that happens in a repeated or predictable way.
inclinationA leaning or preference toward doing something.
Antonyms
Opposite words
exceptionSomething that does not follow the usual pattern.
randomnessA lack of regular pattern.
changeA difference from the usual way.
Synonym practice
Want to practice tendency synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "Mia has a tendency to hum while she works," then compare close word choices. Practice tendency synonyms.
Word family
Tendency word family
Base word
tendency
noun
tendency
A usual pattern or habit-like way of acting.
noun
tendencies
More than one usual pattern.
verb
tend
To usually act, move, or happen in a certain way.
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