# tendency

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈtɛn.dən.si/ · frequency rank #7,621

## Definitions
1. A likelihood of behaving in a particular way or going in a particular direction; a tending toward.
2. An organised unit or faction within a larger political organisation.

## Etymology
From Medieval Latin tendentia, from tendens, present participle of tendō.

## Easily confused with
- **tenderly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tendency-vs-tenderly)
- **tenancy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tenancy-vs-tendency)

## Common misspellings (13)
`etndency`, `tednency`, `tenddency`, `tendecny`, `tendenccy`, `tendencyy`, `tendenncy`, `tendenyc`, `tendnecy`, `tenedncy`, `tenndency`, `tnedency`, `ttendency`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/tendency