What does predilection mean?
A predilection is a strong, often long-standing inclination toward a particular person, thing, activity, or way of thinking. Unlike a casual preference, it can imply an enduring taste or a habitual tendency: someone may have a predilection for mystery fiction, classical music, or traveling by train. The word is especially common in formal writing and discussion of artistic, intellectual, or personal choices, but it can also describe a recurring tendency in behavior, such as an author’s predilection for humor. “For” is the usual preposition, although “toward” and “to” are also used. The expression “a strong predilection for” is particularly idiomatic. Overall, predilection conveys a more distinctive and personal preference than a general choice among alternatives.
nounA strong or lasting inclination toward someone or something; a marked liking or preference. It can also refer to a habitual tendency to choose or act in a particular way.
- A strong or lasting inclination toward a person, thing, activity, or way of life.
- A habitual tendency to choose or act in a particular way.
"She has a predilection for quiet coastal towns and the novels that evoke them."
"The critic had a clear predilection for documentaries that explored everyday life."
"His accounts show a predilection for using vivid metaphors, even when a simpler phrase would do."
A countable noun when referring to a particular liking or preference; less commonly used in the plural.
"Her predilections for travel and history shape the way she studies archival photographs."
A predilection is more than a simple choice: it is the quiet pull of a lasting taste or habit.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does predilection come from?
The word comes from the Latin praedilectio, a noun meaning “preference” or “choice,” formed from praediligere, “to prefer highly” or “to esteem in preference.” The stem combines the prefix prae-, meaning “before” or “in front of,” with diligere, “to value highly” or “love.” English borrowed the word in the 17th century, initially in the sense of a preference or choice, and it developed into its modern sense of a marked or habitual inclination.
Related word forms
How predilection is actually used
Often formal or literary. It is commonly followed by “for” or “toward,” and it may describe either a personal liking or a recurring pattern of behavior.
Easily confused with predilection
A predilection usually suggests a strong, personal, or long-standing liking, whereas a preference can be a more general comparative choice among alternatives.