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

• affinitive adjective
• nonaffinity noun

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

Also at play, I suspect: the Gen Z affinity for old-school technology—everything from vinyl records to analog cameras—and the desire for physical authenticity in our increasingly digital world.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He has built something special at Selhurst Park and appears to have an affinity with his players, while the supporters adore him.

Read more on BBC

She demonstrated an affinity for nature from a young age, filling her bedroom with worms and sea snails that she rushed back to their natural homes after her mother told her they would otherwise die.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In addition to becoming a social media phenomenon, film crews also have an affinity for the city’s barely shaded streets.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I always wanted to find places that reminded me of home,” the comedian and actor, originally from the Texas borderlands, says of her affinity for the family-run restaurant.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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