affinity

American  

[uh-fin-i-tee] / əˈfɪn ɪ ti /

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.

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adjective

1. of or relating to persons who share the same interests.

   to arrange charter flights for opera lovers and other affinity groups.

affinity British  

/ 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

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affinity Scientific  

/ ə-fĭn′ĭ-tē /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• affinitive adjective
• nonaffinity noun

Etymology

Origin of affinity

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English affinite, from Middle French, from Latin affīnitās “connection by marriage”; equivalent to affine + -ity

Example Sentences

This “customary affinity for the socially bizarre” — as the New York Times put it in a 1976 article on SoCal’s “flourishing” psychics — has been a curiosity for those who come from colder coasts.

From Los Angeles Times

Investors may know Toast as the checkout platform at their local coffee shop or sandwich joint, and that is because it has built up a “unique brand affinity among restaurants,” the analysts said.

From Barron's

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.

From 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.

From 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.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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