What does predilection mean?
Word: Predilection
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Predilection means a special fondness for something, often one that others do not share.
Synonyms: preference
How do you spell predilection?
Syllables: pre - di - lec - tion
Tricky part: The weak vowel straight after the d is the trap, and pupils often put an e or an a there.
Watch out for: predelection, predalection, predilecshun
Memory tip: Give a boy called Dilip a predilection for mangoes, and his name will hold that vowel in place.
Predilection in a sentence
Example 1: Kavya's predilection for detective stories keeps the library busy.
Example 2: My grandfather has a predilection for strong ginger tea.
Example 3: Despite his predilection for fast bowling, Imran agreed to keep wicket.
Fun Fact
Predilection and diligent both trace back to the Latin verb diligere, to value or choose.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is misspelt. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. diligence 2. predilecsion 3. idiosyncrasy 4. nostalgia
a) steady and careful effort
b) a warm longing for times gone by
c) an unusual habit peculiar to one person
d) a strong personal leaning towards one thing
Show answer
d) a strong personal leaning towards one thing. The sound at the end is spelt wrongly on this one, while idiosyncrasy, nostalgia and diligence are all correct.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
pr_dil_ction
a) e, e
b) i, e
c) e, i
d) a, e
Show answer
a) e, e. It starts with the common pre of prepare, and the stressed vowel is the e of select.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Asha has a icerlteipndo for old film songs and hums them all day long.
a) production
b) predilection
c) predicament
d) prediction
Show answer
b) predilection. Twelve letters are in the jumble, with two i's and an l, so the shorter choices cannot be right.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word predilection as used in the sentence:
Rishi's predilection for chess meant that he hardly ever went to the playground.
a) liking
b) partiality
c) aversion
d) penchant
Show answer
c) aversion. Liking, partiality and penchant say much what the sentence says; aversion means a strong dislike.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Arjun has a predilection for spicy food. What will he most likely order?
a) a glass of cold sweet milk
b) a bowl of plain boiled rice
c) a slice of soft white bread
d) a plate of very hot chilli paneer
Show answer
d) a plate of very hot chilli paneer
2. Which phrase could best replace predilection in this sentence: She has a predilection for mystery novels?
a) soft spot
b) tight spot
c) sore spot
d) blind spot
Show answer
a) soft spot
