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

The offensive lineman from San Juan Hills High who is still considering the Bruins has developed an affinity for the place based on his many weekends spent on the sideline watching games.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Most Serbian voters have a strong affinity for Russia, and tourist shops outside Belgrade’s biggest tourist attractions sell mugs and T-shirts with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s face on them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In an email to Weiss, he spoke of affinity for Israel and suggested he was being “bullied” and isolated for his views, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Penelope did not know for certain about the fancy shops, but given Lady Constance’s affinity for spending money, she felt it was a safe assumption.

Read more on Literature

The affinity group that matters most is that of our fellow Americans.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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