affinity

[uh-fin-i-tee]

noun

plural

affinities 

1. a natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc.

   Synonyms: bent, leaning, sympathy, fondness, partiality
   Antonyms: aversion, dislike

2. a person, thing, idea, etc., for which such a natural liking or attraction is felt.

3. relationship by marriage or by ties other than those of blood (consanguinity ).

4. inherent likeness or agreement; close resemblance or connection.

   Synonyms: compatible, similarity
   Antonyms: disparity, dissimilarity

5. Biology.,  the phylogenetic relationship between two organisms or groups of organisms resulting in a resemblance in general plan or structure, or in the essential structural parts.

6. Chemistry.,  the force by which atoms are held together in chemical compounds.

adjective

1. of or relating to persons who share the same interests.

   to arrange charter flights for opera lovers and other affinity groups.

affinity

/ əˈfɪnɪtɪ /

noun

1. a natural liking, taste, or inclination towards a person or thing

2. the person or thing so liked

3. a close similarity in appearance or quality; inherent likeness

4. relationship by marriage or by ties other than of blood, as by adoption Compare consanguinity

5. similarity in structure, form, etc, between different animals, plants, or languages

6. chem

   1. the tendency for two substances to combine; chemical attraction

   2. A. a measure of the tendency of a chemical reaction to take place expressed in terms of the free energy change

7. biology a measure of the degree of interaction between two molecules, such as an antigen and antibody or a hormone and its receptor

affinity

1. A relationship or resemblance in structure between species that suggests a common origin.

2. An attraction or force between particles that causes them to combine, as the attraction between an antigen and an antibody.

Other Word Forms

• nonaffinity noun
• affinitive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of affinity¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English affinite, from Middle French, from Latin affīnitās “connection by marriage”; equivalent to affine + -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of affinity¹

C14: via Old French from Latin affīnitāt- connected by marriage, from affīnis bordering on, related

Example Sentences

I also really like Young as Nicole, who I admittedly had an affinity for as a drama club nerd in “Never Have I Ever.”

From Los Angeles Times

EC: It’s where I get my affinity for exaggeration.

From Los Angeles Times

Francis also had an affinity for languages, and was one of the first stars to record in multiple dialects.

From BBC

The parade of cultural affinity clubs, diversity events and policies that sought to make the school more equitable nauseated Miller.

From Los Angeles Times

“Seven Tears” has a light rockabilly swing and continues Springsteen’s affinity for the number seven, and “Unsatisfied Heart” is a heartbreaker, a legendary fan favorite that’s finally seeing the light of day.

From Salon

Related Words

• affection 
• closeness 
• fondness 
• leaning 
• rapport 
• sympathy 
• weakness