What does proclivity mean?
Word: Proclivity
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Proclivity means a natural leaning towards a particular habit or kind of behaviour.
Synonyms: inclination
How do you spell proclivity?
Syllables: pro - cliv - i - ty
Tricky part: The weak vowel after the v is the trap, and pupils write e or a in its place.
Watch out for: proclivety, proclivaty, proclivitty
Memory tip: Say it beside activity: the two end alike, so the weak vowel is an i there too.
Proclivity in a sentence
Example 1: Our puppy has a proclivity for hiding one shoe from every pair.
Example 2: Meera's proclivity for neat handwriting shows in all her notebooks.
Example 3: Some children show an early proclivity for mental arithmetic.
Fun Fact
It comes from a Latin word for sloping downhill, so a proclivity is rather like a slope that your habits roll down.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
One of these words is spelt right. Pick the meaning of that word.
1. tenasity 2. dexteraty 3. proclivity 4. longevaty
a) the living of a very long life
b) an in-built pull towards doing something
c) skill in using the hands
d) a firm refusal to give up
Show answer
b) an in-built pull towards doing something. Dexterity and longevity take an i before the t, and tenacity takes a c, which leaves proclivity.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Tanvi's procklivity for rearranging the furniture every Sunday means that nobody at home can find the television remote on a Monday.
a) rearranging
b) procklivity
c) television
d) furniture
Show answer
b) procklivity. The hard sound at the start of the second syllable takes c alone, with no k.
Mingle-Mangle
Rearrange the jumbled letters in the sentence to form a word:
Tara has a iprioyvclt for leaving her homework until late on Sunday night.
a) productivity
b) proclivity
c) proximity
d) prosperity
Show answer
b) proclivity. Ten letters, including a c, an l and a v, belong to only one choice.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word proclivity as used in the sentence:
The kitten's proclivity for climbing bookshelves keeps everyone in the house on their toes.
a) objection
b) hesitation
c) tendency
d) reluctance
Show answer
c) tendency. The kitten climbs again and again, which points to a habit it naturally falls into.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Neel's proclivity for exaggeration is well known. How should his friends treat his stories?
a) write the details down word for word
b) check the details in an old atlas
c) take the details with a pinch of salt
d) repeat the details at morning assembly
Show answer
c) take the details with a pinch of salt
2. Which report comment would best fit a pupil with a proclivity for daydreaming?
a) Always hands in written work on time.
b) Often gazes out of the window in lessons.
c) Runs fastest in the 100 metres race.
d) Reads aloud clearly and with feeling.
Show answer
b) Often gazes out of the window in lessons.
