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predisposition

Noun

IPA /ˌpriːdɪspəˈzɪʃn/

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Meaning in plain English

An existing tendency that makes someone more likely to behave or react in a particular way.

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Pronunciation

predisposition/ˌpriːdɪspəˈzɪʃn/

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An unexpected phone call
A pre-existing tendency to worry
Quickly imagines a problem

A predisposition makes a particular reaction more likely.

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Her predisposition to worry made unexpected phone calls especially stressful.
The tutor noticed his predisposition to question every assumption.

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Her ________ to worry made unexpected phone calls especially stressful.

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predisposition — An existing tendency that makes someone more likely to behave or react in a particular way.

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An existing tendency that makes someone more likely to behave or react in a particular way.

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Word origin

Formed from pre-, meaning before, and disposition, meaning a tendency or arrangement.

Did you know?

Predisposition can be followed by to and a verb: a predisposition to worry.

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