Standard Lemma guide

propense

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /pɹəˈpɛns/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɛns

1

adj

Meaning 1

Leaning toward, in a moral sense; inclined; disposed; prone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

Examples

  • women propense to holiness
  • 1739, David Hume, Treatise of Human Nature Book 3: Of Morals The most immediate effects of pleasure and pain are the propense and averse motions of the mind; which are diversified into volition, into desire and aversion, grief and joy, hope and fear

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Prepense.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic, postpositional

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Latin prōpensus, perfect passive participle of prōpendeō.