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View synonyms for affection

affection

1

[uh-fek-shuhn]

noun

  1. fond attachment, devotion, or love.

    the affection of a parent for an only child.

    Antonyms: dislike
  2. Often affections

    1. emotion; feeling; sentiment.

      over and above our reason and affections.

    2. the emotional realm of love.

      a place in his affections.

  3. Pathology.,  a disease, or the condition of being diseased; abnormal state of body or mind.

    a gouty affection.

  4. the act of affecting; act of influencing or acting upon.

  5. the state of being affected.

  6. Philosophy.,  a contingent, alterable, and accidental state or quality of being.

  7. the affective aspect of a mental process.

  8. bent or disposition of mind.

  9. Obsolete.,  bias; prejudice.



affection

2

[uh-fek-shuhn]

noun

Obsolete.
  1. affectation.

affection

/ əˈfɛkʃən /

noun

  1. a feeling of fondness or tenderness for a person or thing; attachment

  2. (often plural) emotion, feeling, or sentiment

    to play on a person's affections

  3. pathol any disease or pathological condition

  4. psychol any form of mental functioning that involves emotion See also affect 1

  5. the act of affecting or the state of being affected

  6. archaic,  inclination or disposition

“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
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Other Word Forms

  • affectional adjective
  • affectionless adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of affection1

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin affectiōn- (stem of affectiō ) “disposition or state of mind or body”; affect 1, -ion

Origin of affection2

First recorded in 1525–35; affect 2 + -ion
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Word History and Origins

Origin of affection1

C13: from Latin affectiōn- disposition, from afficere to affect 1
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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.

Yet, that she made it at all makes every frame feel personal, and you hear her affection for the cadence of her occasionally tongue-tied subjects.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His unconditional affection is a great reminder that my professional output isn’t the sum total of my value as a human being.

At the festival, others shared their love and affection for Dame Jilly.

Read more on BBC

Goblen never loses sight of their affection even as their conflict grows louder and more bruising.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Jack teared up when recalling his father’s affection for his family, and he said the Osbournes considered delaying the release of the book and films but ultimately decided against it.

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Related Words

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When To Use

What are other ways to say affection?



Affection refers to fond attachment, as of one person to another. How is affection different from love and devotion? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

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