Affinity
/əˈfɪnəti/
nounIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meaning
Questions
Definitions
1
A natural liking for or attraction to someone or something; a close connection or relationship.
/əˈfɪnəti/
nounneutralIntermediate
General
A natural liking for or attraction to someone or something.
There's a surprising affinity between the two artists' styles.
💡 Simply: A feeling of being drawn to something or someone.
More Examples
2
He felt a deep affinity for the mountains.
How It's Used
Psychology
"She had a strong affinity for animals."
Chemistry
"The two molecules exhibited a high affinity for each other."
From Middle French affinité, from Latin affinitas "relationship by marriage," from affinis "bordering on, related," from ad "to" + finis "border, end, limit."
Historically, the word was predominantly used in the context of kinship and relationships by marriage, gradually expanding to encompass broader notions of attraction and connection.
Memory tip
Think of 'fine' - a fine relationship is one of affinity.
Practice
Base: affinity
affintyafinityaffinitiy
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written