propinquity
Americannoun
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nearness in place; proximity.
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nearness of relation; kinship.
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affinity of nature; similarity.
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nearness in time.
noun
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nearness in place or time
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nearness in relationship
Etymology
Origin of propinquity
First recorded in 1400–1450; Middle English, from Old French propinquite, from Latin propinquitās “nearness,” equivalent to propinqu(us) “near, nearby,” from prop(e) “near” + -inquus adjective suffix) + -itās -ity; see pro-
Explanation
Ah propinquity, a word meaning "proximity or physical closeness." Your propinquity to someone in a conversation will affect whether you can smell his breath or not. Propinquity had a brief moment in the sun on a television show in the 1950s called Dobie Gillis. There was an episode in which the nerdy girl, who was in love with Dobie Gillis, decided to get him to love her back. How? Propinquity! And so she explained it to him, over and over and over, theorizing that just being near someone long enough would tip them over the edge into love. Sadly for her, it didn’t work, but everyone who has ever seen or heard of the episode has the meaning of propinquity burned into their brain.
Vocabulary lists containing propinquity
The Scarlet Letter
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Close Encounters: Synonyms for "Near"
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"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 15
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Propinquity makes hearts grow fonder, and they decide, if the new play clicks, to remarry.
From Time Magazine Archive
"Propinquity does it"—as Mrs. Thornburgh is always reminding us.—But where can Catherine be?
From Robert Elsmere by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.
Propinquity is the strongest of agents in a love affair, and in Denis Oglethorpe's love affair, propinquity had accomplished what nothing else would have been likely to have done.
From Theo A Sprightly Love Story by Burnett, Frances Hodgson
Propinquity, opportunity, circumstances and surroundings favourable to the growth and development of such—idiocy—he was nearly saying.
From The Sirdar's Oath A Tale of the North-West Frontier by Mitford, Bertram
Propinquity is a tremendous force in the life of humanity.
From Scattergood Baines by Kelland, Clarence Budington
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
