prone to

P

prone to

Meaning

• having a tendency to something – usually awful or unfortunate
• likely to suffer from something – for example “prone to disease”
• to have a natural inclination to something

Example Sentences

1. Kindly drive slow; this road is prone to accidents.
2. Small puppies are very prone to disease.
3. Lithium-ion batteries are pretty powerful but are prone to explosions.
4. Don’t use cheap gas cylinders in your car, they are prone to burst.
5. Please do not swim without a life jacket. This area is prone to large waves.
6. Do not open the back cover of a television; it is prone to electric charges.
7. Right before the harvesting, the dry farms of wheat are very prone to fire.
8. He has an angry dog that is prone to bite.

Origin

The word “prone” is a Middle English (1400s) word derived from the Latin prōnus meaning “disposed or inclined downward”.

Prone can also mean “to lie flat with your face pointing downwards”. Interestingly, the figurative meaning was first recorded as being used in the 1400s, where the literal meaning has only been in use since around 1570. Both words have Latin origins.

Synonyms

• apt to
• likely to have
• given to
• inclined to
• tend to
• in danger of getting
• at risk of
• susceptible

Assorted