affinity

[ uh-fin-i-tee ]

noun

, plural af·fin·i·ties.

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. foll bywith or for 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 measure of the tendency of a chemical reaction to take place expressed in terms of the free energy change A
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

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• afˈfinitive, adjective

Other Words From

• nonaf·fini·ty noun plural nonaffinities 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 Faroe Islands is a self-governing archipelago within the Kingdom of Denmark, where there is also a strong affinity for meat served in tubed form.

From Salon

Second, Big Tech created a class affinity between elites, upper-middle-class professionals and working-class people away from coastal areas.

From Salon

Could be the one that sells the most, could be the one you have most personal affinity towards — up to you!

From Salon

It requires a passion for cities, urban history and, perhaps, cartography; an affinity for architecture and urban design; a love of community; and a knack for numbers.

From Los Angeles Times

Starmer and Trump spoke on the phone after the US election result, with Downing Street telling reporters they "fondly recalled" their dinner in September, as well as Trump's "connections and affinity" to the UK.

From BBC

Related Words

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