tendency/ˋtɛndənsI; ˈtendənsi/n [C] plural tendencies 1 if someone or something has a tendency to do something, they are likely to do it〔做某事的〕倾向: tendency to do sth He has a tendency to talk too much. 他生来就话多。+towards Some people may inherit a tendency towards alcoholism. 有些人可能遗传了酗酒的倾向。2 a general change or development in a particular direction 趋势: There is an increasing tendency for women to have children later in life. 女性晚育趋势越来越强。