Affinity: meaning, definitions and examples

🤝

Add to dictionary

affinity

[əˈfɪnɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

natural connection

A spontaneous or natural liking or sympathy for someone or something.

Synonyms

kinship, liking, sympathy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
affinity	Used when talking about a natural like or connection to someone or something, often on an intellectual or emotional level. She has a high affinity for classical music. Their affinity for each other was immediately apparent.
liking	Generally used to indicate a casual or simple preference or enjoyability towards someone or something. He has a liking for spicy food. She developed a liking for painting after taking a few classes.
sympathy	Used to express feelings of pity or sorrow for someone's distress or hardship, often involving an emotional support aspect. It can sometimes carry a negative connotation if it seems insincere. He offered his sympathy after hearing about her loss. She felt sympathy for the homeless man she saw on the street.
kinship	Often used to describe a familial or close relationship, indicating a sense of bond or connection, not necessarily by blood. There is a strong kinship among the members of the team. Despite not being related, they felt a deep kinship.

Examples of usage

She felt an affinity with the group of artists.
There was an immediate affinity between them.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

chemistry

The degree to which a substance tends to combine with another.

Synonyms

attraction, propensity, tendency.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
affinity	Use 'affinity' to describe a natural liking or connection between people, things, or ideas. It is often used in a positive sense. She has a natural affinity for classical music. There is an affinity between the two artists' styles.
attraction	Use 'attraction' when referring to the power or action that draws or pulls someone or something towards something else. Commonly used in the context of physical or emotional appeal. The city's main attraction is its beautiful beach. There was an undeniable attraction between them from the moment they met.
tendency	Use 'tendency' to describe a general trend or direction in which something is moving or developing, without implying a strong or habitual inclination. There is a growing tendency among young people to work remotely. She has a tendency to talk fast when she's excited.
propensity	Use 'propensity' to talk about a natural inclination or tendency to behave in a certain way. It often carries a slight negative connotation, implying a habitual behavior. He has a propensity to procrastinate. Her propensity for excessive spending got her into debt.

Examples of usage

The oxygen molecule has a strong affinity for electrons.
This metal has a high affinity for sulfur.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

biology

A relationship between organisms that are closely related but not necessarily in a direct line of descent.

Synonyms

association, connection, relationship.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
affinity	Refers to a close similarity or connection between two things. There's an affinity between the two art styles The plant species has an affinity with those found in tropical regions
relationship	Specifically refers to the way in which two or more people, groups, or things interact with each other. Often personal or emotional. Their relationship has grown stronger over the years The relationship between the two countries has improved
connection	This can refer to both personal and professional links between people, things, or ideas. They have a strong emotional connection Her work has a deep connection to environmental issues
association	Used when referring to a connection or relationship between people or organizations, often for a specific purpose. She has a long-standing association with the charity The school has an association with several local businesses

Examples of usage

The bird has an affinity with the reptile due to shared characteristics.
Genetic affinities can be determined through evolutionary analysis.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word derives from the Latin 'affinitas', meaning 'relationship' or 'connection'.
Originally, it was used to describe the relationship between relatives by marriage.

Science

In chemistry, affinity refers to the tendency of substances to combine or react, indicating how strongly they attract each other.
Affinity diagrams in software design help visualize relationships between ideas or concepts.

Psychology

People with similar interests or personalities report higher levels of affinity, leading to stronger friendships and connections.
The 'affinity bias' can affect hiring decisions, where employers favor candidates who are similar to them.

Literature

In Jane Austen's works, characters often show a strong affinity towards those with shared values, affecting their relationships.
Literary themes often explore affinity as a driving force in character development, showcasing deep connections.

Pop Culture

Affinity is commonly used in songs and poetry to describe deep emotional connections between people.
In popular television shows, characters often develop affinities that drive plotlines and deepen viewer engagement.

Translations

Translations of the word "affinity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 afinidade

🇮🇳 सहानुभूति

🇩🇪 Affinität

🇮🇩 keterkaitan

🇺🇦 афінність

спорідненість
близькість

🇵🇱 powinowactwo

🇯🇵 親和性 (しんわせい)

🇫🇷 affinité

🇪🇸 afinidad

🇹🇷 yakınlık

🇰🇷 친밀감

🇸🇦 ألفة

🇨🇿 příbuznost

🇸🇰 príbuznosť

🇨🇳 亲和力 (qīnhélì)

🇸🇮 afiniteta

🇮🇸 skyldleiki

🇰🇿 жақындық

🇬🇪 ახლოება

🇦🇿 yaxınlıq

🇲🇽 afinidad

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,774 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
6771 duke
6772 spacing
6773 righteousness
6774 affinity
6775 attainment
6776 sweat
6777 straightforward
...