Affections
/əˈfɛkʃənz/
nounBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
A feeling of fondness or liking; tender regard.
/əˈfɛkʃənz/
nounpositiveBeginner
General
Fondness or liking
His affections for her were obvious.
💡 Simply: Feeling of love or liking.
More Examples
2
She showed her affections through acts of kindness.
How It's Used
Personal Relationships
"She showed great affection for her grandchildren."
Literature
"The novel explored the complex affections between the characters."
From Middle English affeccioun, from Old French afeccion, from Latin affectio "a condition, state, feeling; affection, passion," from afficere "to affect, to influence, to strike."
Historically, the word 'affection' was used more broadly, encompassing a wider range of emotions than just fondness.
Memory tip
Think of 'affect' meaning to influence; affections are influences on the heart.
Practice
Base: affect
afectionsaffetions
Usage
30%Spoken
70%Written