affinity
a natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc.
a person, thing, idea, etc., for which such a natural liking or attraction is felt.
relationship by marriage or by ties other than those of blood (distinguished from consanguinity).
inherent likeness or agreement; close resemblance or connection.
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.
Chemistry. the force by which atoms are held together in chemical compounds.
of or relating to persons who share the same interests:to arrange charter flights for opera lovers and other affinity groups.
Origin of affinity
1Other words for affinity
Opposites for affinity
Other words from affinity
- non·af·fin·i·ty, noun, plural non·af·fin·i·ties, adjective
Words that may be confused with affinity
- affinity , infinity
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use affinity in a sentence
Some of it was fueled by patriotism, and some by state, local, and even just family affinities.
There are, of course, many bonds that stretch across between the two, including shared affinities and public support.
In the meeting, Murdoch also emphasized his political affinities with Thatcher.
Rupert Murdoch Testifies: Denies Ties to British Officials | Mike Giglio | April 25, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThese affinities are arguably at the heart of the 40-year dalliance of Iranian and Syrian despots.
Olivier is based loosely on Alexis de Tocqueville and Parrot has affinities with Audubon.
If cleanliness be next to godliness, a good cleaning would do it good and improve its affinities.
Our Churches and Chapels | AtticusNow Nature takes no account of the affinities of souls; her aim is fulfilled by the propagation of the species.
Honorine | Honore de BalzacBeside the attraction on the physical plane—which I believe is very necessary—there should exist all the higher affinities.
Unveiling a Parallel | Alice Ilgenfritz Jones and Ella MarchantTheir language is peculiar, but by no means without miscellaneous affinities.
The Ethnology of the British Colonies and Dependencies | Robert Gordon LathamGallardo suggested that Allophryne is a leptodactylid of uncertain affinities.
British Dictionary definitions for affinity
/ (əˈfɪnɪtɪ) /
(foll by with or for) a natural liking, taste, or inclination towards a person or thing
the person or thing so liked
a close similarity in appearance or quality; inherent likeness
relationship by marriage or by ties other than of blood, as by adoption: Compare consanguinity
similarity in structure, form, etc, between different animals, plants, or languages
chem
the tendency for two substances to combine; chemical attraction
a measure of the tendency of a chemical reaction to take place expressed in terms of the free energy change: Symbol: A
biology a measure of the degree of interaction between two molecules, such as an antigen and antibody or a hormone and its receptor
Origin of affinity
1Derived forms of affinity
- affinitive, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for affinity
[ ə-fĭn′ĭ-tē ]
A relationship or resemblance in structure between species that suggests a common origin.
An attraction or force between particles that causes them to combine, as the attraction between an antigen and an antibody.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Browse