tendency meaning and definition

TENDENCY noun

Definition of tendency (noun)

1. an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
   • "he had an inclination to give up too easily"; "a tendency to be too strict"
   • synonyms: disposition, inclination
2. an inclination to do something
   • "he felt leanings toward frivolity"
   • synonyms: leaning, propensity
3. a characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect
   • "the alkaline inclination of the local waters"; "fabric with a tendency to shrink"
   • synonyms: inclination
4. a general direction in which something tends to move
   • "the shoreward tendency of the current"; "the trend of the stock market"
   • synonyms: trend