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Propensity vs Likelihood - What's the difference?

propensity | likelihood |

As nouns the difference between propensity and likelihood

is that propensity is a tendency, preference, or attraction while likelihood is the probability of a specified outcome; the chance of something happening; probability; the state of being probable.

propensity

English

Noun

(propensities)
  • A tendency, preference, or attraction.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= Katie L. Burke
    • , title= In the News , volume=101, issue=3, page=193, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.}}

    Synonyms

    * proclivity * propension

    Related terms

    * propense

    likelihood

    English

    Noun

    (Likelihood function)
  • The probability of a specified outcome; the chance of something happening; probability; the state of being probable.
    • In all likelihood the meeting will be cancelled.
    The likelihood is that the inflation rate will continue to rise.
  • (statistics) The probability that some fixed outcome was generated by a random distribution with a specific parameter.
  • Likeness, resemblance.
    • "There is no likelihood between pure light and black darkness, or between righteousness and reprobation." (Sir W. Raleigh)
  • (archaic) Appearance, show, sign, expression.
    • "What of his heart perceive you in his face by any likelihood he showed to-day ?" (Shak)

    Synonyms

    * likeliness * odds

    Antonyms

    * unlikelihood