appetency: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very LowFormal, Literary, Technical
Quick answer
What does “appetency” mean?
A strong natural desire or craving.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A strong natural desire or craving; a longing or inclination for something.
1. A natural or instinctive tendency, affinity, or attraction. 2. In biology/psychology, an innate drive or urge directing behavior toward a goal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical or literary texts.
Connotations
Equally rare and formal in both varieties. Conveys an archaic, scholarly, or deliberately elevated tone.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. More common in 18th-19th century literature. In modern use, 'appetite' or 'desire' is overwhelmingly preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “appetency” in a Sentence
[appetency] for [noun][appetency] towards [noun/gerund]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “appetency” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The soul appetes after the divine.
- (Note: The verb 'appete' is archaic and virtually obsolete.)
American English
- (No standard verb form in contemporary use.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- He felt an appetent curiosity about the ancient text.
- Her appetent gaze was fixed on the horizon.
American English
- The appetent crowd awaited the product launch.
- His appetent attitude towards risk worried his colleagues.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, philosophical, or literary analysis, and in older texts on psychology or biology.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound archaic or pretentious.
Technical
Historically used in psychology (e.g., McDougall's theory of instincts) and biology to describe innate behavioral drives.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “appetency”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “appetency”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “appetency”
- Misspelling as 'appetance' or 'appetancy'.
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'hunger'.
- Using it in casual contexts where 'desire' or 'interest' is sufficient.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While related, 'appetite' primarily refers to a desire for food or sometimes other physical needs. 'Appetency' is broader, more formal, and can refer to intellectual, emotional, or spiritual longings. It is also much rarer.
It is not recommended. Using 'appetency' in casual speech will sound archaic, overly formal, or pretentious. Use 'desire', 'craving', 'liking', or 'attraction' instead.
They are close synonyms. 'Propensity' often implies a habitual tendency or inclination ('a propensity to procrastinate'). 'Appetency' places more emphasis on the *longing* or *craving* aspect of the tendency ('an appetency for solitude').
Yes, the standard plural is 'appetencies' (e.g., 'the diverse appetencies of the human spirit').
A strong natural desire or craving.
Appetency is usually formal, literary, technical in register.
Appetency: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæpɪt(ə)nsi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæpɪtənsi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The appetency of the moth for the flame.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of APPETITE for something, but ending with -ENCY like TENDENCY. It's a *tendency* of your *appetite* towards something.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESIRE IS A MAGNETIC FORCE (It draws/pulls/attracts us). DESIRE IS A NATURAL INSTINCT (It is inborn/wired/in our nature).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following sentences is 'appetency' used most appropriately?