tendency
gb/tˈɛndənsi/ us/tˈɛndənsi/
B1
English
~ 2400
hajlam, hajlamos, tendencia
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
a tendency to [verb]
She has a tendency to speak very quickly when she's nervous.
Ha ideges, hajlamos nagyon gyorsan beszélni.
There's a growing tendency for people to work from home.
Egyre inkább jellemző, hogy az emberek otthonról dolgoznak.
My dog has a tendency to bark at strangers.
He shows a tendency toward perfectionism in his work.
Learner examples
I have a tendency to eat too much chocolate.
Hajlamos vagyok túl sok csokit enni.
She has a tendency to forget names.
Hajlamos elfelejteni a neveket.
My cat has a tendency to sleep all day.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tendency' with 'trend'. 'Tendency' is about personal or habitual behavior, while 'trend' is about general changes over time in groups or society.
Meaning
usual way of behaving or thinking
Collocations
natural tendency
|strong tendency
|have a tendency
|display a tendency
|tendency toward
Synonyms
inclination (Slightly more formal; often used in both personal and abstract contexts.)
|
propensity (More formal and sometimes implies a stronger or less desirable habit.)
Antonyms
aversion (Implies a strong dislike or avoidance, the opposite of a leaning toward something.)
Themes
psychology
|daily life
|personality
|core_vocabulary
|emotions
Definition
A way that someone often behaves or thinks.
A characteristic pattern in how someone usually behaves or thinks, often in a particular direction.
NOUN
B2
2
tendencia
B2
Usage pattern:
a tendency toward [noun/gerund]
The data shows a clear tendency toward higher temperatures over the past decade.
Az adatok azt mutatják, hogy az elmúlt évtizedben a hőmérséklet egyértelműen emelkedő tendenciát mutatott.
There's a tendency in politics toward more polarized views.
A politikában az a tendencia figyelhető meg, hogy a nézetek egyre polarizáltabbá válnak.
Economic indicators reveal a downward tendency in consumer spending.
Learner examples
The weather has a tendency to get warmer in spring.
Tavasszal az idő általában melegszik.
Our team has a tendency to win more games at home.
A csapatunk otthon általában több meccset nyer.
Prices show a tendency to go up before holidays.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'trend', but 'tendency' can be less about popularity and more about direction over time.
Meaning
general direction of change
Collocations
upward tendency
|downward tendency
|tendency toward growth
|market tendency
Synonyms
trend (More common in describing fashion, markets, or social change; often interchangeable but 'trend' can be broader.)
Antonyms
stability (Indicates no noticeable change or movement, opposite of a directional shift.)
Themes
society
|business
|science
|core_vocabulary
|time
Definition
The way something is starting to change or move.
A general way in which something is changing, developing, or moving.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tendency
IPA
GB/tˈɛndənsi/
US/tˈɛndənsi/
Syllables & stress
tend - ency (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (tend)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tendency
- Plural: tendencies, tendency
Word family
Forms
tendencies
noun
Core family
tend
verb B1
Advanced or less common
tendentious
adjective
tendentiously
adverb
Expressions
have a tendency to
1/hˈæv ə tˈɛndənsi tə/
fixed phrase
usually behave in certain way
To often do something or behave in a certain way.
Examples
- I have a tendency to leave things until the last minute.
- She has a tendency to talk too much when she's excited.
tendency toward
1/tˈɛndənsi təwˈɔɹd/
fixed phrase
movement or development direction
A movement or change toward something.
Examples
- There's been a tendency toward healthier eating in recent years.
- The artist's later work shows a tendency toward abstraction.