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bent

bent

5.7
A natural liking or talent for something like music
  • noun
  • /bɛnt/
translation icon : aptitud
  • She has a natural bent for music, playing the piano beautifully without formal training.

We kind of have our bents and that's OK.

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Examples

  • You have a very interdisciplinary bent and interdisciplinary approach.

  • So this is partly why I have a certain conservative bent, I suppose.

  • But we also should follow the particular bent of our own nature.

  • So I I sort of encourage some of you with that bent to think about this.

  • I'm not a fire and brimstone guy, not even particularly of a particular religious bent, more of a scientist.

  • We kind of have our bents and that's OK.

  • His bent to analyze, his bent to deny, to suspend judgment.

  • Good technology-based candidates for the team include engineers, information systems analysts, and clinicians with process orientation and innovative bents.

    Academic text (1996)
  • His bent for mathematics made him excel in his engineering courses.

  • The artist's bent towards abstract expression is evident in her striking paintings.

Synonyms

talent
vsbent
326 2.8

A person who has a natural ability in one area

refers to the tendency or ability itself rather than the person
knack
vsbent
75 3.9

A natural or learned ability to do something well

is an inborn inclination or tendency rather than a learned trick
12 2.9

An ability someone is born with to do something well

is broader and includes an inclination or tendency as well as ability
8 3.4

A talent someone is born with that they do not learn

also covers an inclination or tendency rather than only inherited skill

Antonyms

2 8.0

A feeling of not wanting to do something

Idioms

55 4.6

Determined to do something even if it is difficult or dangerous

hell-bent
  • Informal
32 7.5

Extremely determined to do something no matter the danger or cost

19 8.4

Very upset about a small or unimportant thing

Compounds

bent grass
  • Specialized
4.5

A grass with fine leaves used for lawns and golf greens

A fine grass used for lawns and for smooth golf greens

8.6

A common grass with thin stems and narrow leaves that grows in wet meadows

creeping bent
  • Specialized
6.0

A low grass that spreads along the ground, often used for lawns and golf courses

9.9

A common grass with thin stems and narrow leaves that grows in fields

A thin, soft grass with narrow leaves used for lawns and golf greens

velvet bent
  • Specialized
7.5

A grass with narrow leaves and fine texture used for lawns and golf greens

velvet bent grass
  • Specialized
6.9

A fine, low-growing grass people plant for lawns and golf courses

How Inclined

penchant
37 8.2
bent
5.7
inclination
61 4.2
tendency
316 2.8
leaning
19 3.4

Surface Forms

bent singular
bents plural

Etymology

Bent as a noun meaning a 'natural talent' comes from the idea of being 'bent' or 'leaning' toward something, from the same root as bend. So if someone has a 'bent' for music, they are naturally drawn or 'leaning' toward it.