prone

/proʊn/

/prəʊn/

Other forms: proner; pronely

If you're prone to doing something, it means you're likely to do it, have a habit of doing it, or are susceptible to it. People who are prone to getting the flu every winter should probably get a flu shot in the fall.

The second meaning of prone is "lying face down," and the Latin root is pronare, "to bend forward." This is a handy way to remember both meanings: if you tend to wait to start your term paper until the night before it's due, you are prone to procrastination — you bend toward it. If you stay up so late you fall asleep face down in the book, you are now prone at your desk.

Definitions of prone

1. adjective

   having a tendency (to); often used in combination
   “a child prone to mischief”

   “failure-prone”

   synonyms:

   inclined

   (often followed by `to') having a preference, disposition, or tendency
2. adjective

   lying face downward
   synonyms: prostrate

   unerect

   not upright in position or posture