Penchant
/ˈpɛnʃənt/
Definitions
A strong or habitual liking for something or a tendency to do something.
/ˈpɛnʃənt/
A strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something.
She has a penchant for collecting antique books.
💡 Simply: It's like having a favorite thing you do or like, like having a real *penchant* for playing video games or eating ice cream. It means you really enjoy or are drawn to something!
👶 For kids: A big liking for something. If you really, really like ice cream, you have a penchant for it!
More Examples
His penchant for spicy food led him to try every hot sauce he could find.
The artist's penchant for vibrant colors was evident in all his paintings.
Many people have a penchant for watching true crime documentaries.
How It's Used
"He has a penchant for fast cars."
"The author's penchant for melodrama was evident throughout the novel."
From Old French *pendre* ("to lean, be inclined") + -*ant* (a suffix indicating an inclination). It entered English in the 17th century.
The word gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries, often used in literature and formal writing to describe inclinations and preferences.
Memory tip
Think of a *pen* that leans (*penchant*) towards a certain style of writing; the pen has a strong preference.