affinity

noun

af·fin·i·ty | \ə-ˈfi-nə-tē

plural affinities

Definition of affinity

1 : relationship by marriage

2a : sympathy marked by community of interest : kinship She has an affinity to him because of their common musical interests.

b(1) : an attraction to or liking for something people with an affinity to darkness— Mark Twain pork and fennel have a natural affinity for each other— Abby Mandel

(2) : an attractive force between substances or particles that causes them to enter into and remain in chemical combination

c : a person especially of the opposite sex having a particular attraction for one

3a : likeness based on relationship or causal connection found an affinity between the teller of a tale and the craftsman— Mary McCarthy this investigation, with affinities to a case history, a psychoanalysis, a detective story— Oliver Sacks

b : a relation between biological groups involving resemblance in structural plan and indicating a common origin

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about affinity

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Choose the Right Synonym for affinity

attraction, affinity, sympathy mean the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together. attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it. felt an attraction to danger affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn. an affinity for mathematics sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence. two minds in sympathy

Examples of affinity in a Sentence

Jefferson's personal debts continued to mount … . His addiction to French wine, like his affinity for French ideas, never came to grips with the more mundane realities. — Joseph J. Ellis, American Heritage, May/June 1993 … neither virus has an affinity for T cells. — Robert C. Gallo, Scientific American, 1987 Animals sharing this basic architecture may have no closer affinity than a beetle and a squid. — Stephen Jay Gould, Natural History, 1985 There's always been an affinity between us. He never felt any affinity with the other kids in his neighborhood.

Recent Examples on the Web

DeSantis’s shameless courting of Trump and the president’s affinity for the state where his Mar-a-Lago residence sits likely means some campaign stops are in Trump’s future. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "How racist robocalls and an FBI inquiry are shaking up the Florida governor’s race," 7 Nov. 2018 Well, your clothes have always had this incredible intimacy with, and affinity for, women. — Mark Holgate, Vogue, "Roland Mouret’s New Book About His Life and Work Brings His Past Right Here Into the Present," 6 Nov. 2018 While the Queen’s affinity for Eugenie’s mother Sarah Ferguson has wavered over the years, the monarch has always remained close with her granddaughter. — Marcia Moody, Town & Country, "Why Queen Elizabeth Is So Close to Her Granddaughter Princess Eugenie," 7 Oct. 2018 Though this may come as a shock to those of us whose affinity for cats began with Salem, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina actually had a good reason for considering a doggo replacement for his role. — Tess Garcia, Teen Vogue, "Netflix's "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" Almost Made Salem a Dog," 15 Sep. 2018 The royal always has an affinity for polished pieces and tonight's look stayed true to her elegant style. — Marina Liao, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle Arrives at 'Hamilton' In a Tuxedo Minidress," 29 Aug. 2018 The 21-year-old, who recently wore this red-hot two piece to Jordyn Woods' birthday party, has an affinity for body-con clothing and isn't afraid to show off her silhouette. — Marina Liao, Marie Claire, "Kylie Jenner Loved Her Vex Clothing Minidress So Much, She Took Multiple Photos for the 'Gram," 8 Oct. 2018 In a league full of flashy stars, Anthony has stuck with his cool and straight-forward style, highlighted by his affinity for slim-fit suits, hats and crew neck sweaters. — Jamie Lisanti, SI.com, "Fashionable 50," 10 July 2018 Tony voters have proved an affinity for Elliott’s work, though. — Craig Nakano, latimes.com, "Marianne Elliott, the British director who sent 'Angels in America' back into flight," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'affinity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for affinity

Middle English affinite, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French affinité, borrowed from Latin affīnitāt-, affīnitās, from affīnis "bordering (on), related by marriage, connected (with)" (from ad- ad- + fīnis "boundary, limit") + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at final entry 1