affinity

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noun af·fin·i·ty \ ə-ˈfi-nə-tē \

Definition of affinity

plural affinities

1 :relationship by marriage

2 a :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

3 a :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

See affinity defined for English-language learners

See affinity defined for kids

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 of affinity from the Web

King Arthur’s holdings also extend to valuable Miami real estate, and show an affinity for expensive properties near the ocean.

— emily l. mahoney and malu gaspar emahoney@miamiherald.com, miamiherald, "Did a rich Miamian help rig the Olympic site selection? Investigators want to know.," 17 Aug. 2017
The seeming affinity between Russia and the American far right is undermined by the fact that the two are hardly a neat ideological fit.

— adam taylor, Washington Post, "The violence in Charlottesville can’t be blamed on a foreign power," 14 Aug. 2017
Contrary to media portrayals, applicants need not identify as Americans or demonstrate any affinity for American culture.

— steven camarota, National Review, "Time to End DACA," 3 Aug. 2017
And while that part is true, administration and French officials and analysts of transatlantic relations suggest there is much more to Trump’s newfound affinity for Europe than a soft spot for parades.

— howard lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, "Trump is back in Europe: Why the continent suddenly appeals," 13 July 2017
Following the Duchess's wardrobe choices is a favorite pastime, especially because of her affinity for mixing it up from custom designer clothes to J.Crew; Middleton even wore a $51 Zara dress on the way to sister Pippa's wedding.

— melissa minton, Glamour, "Kate Middleton Wears Princess Diana's Favorite Tiara for State Banquet," 13 July 2017
Many protestors have taken to wearing Handmaid's Tale costumes to protest the current administration and its affinity for limiting women's reproductive rights.

— lindsey lanquist, SELF, "Hillary Clinton to the GOP: 'Feel Free to Run With' My Health Care Plan," 7 July 2017
Cozart has an affinity for donkeys and has expressed this in the past.

— c. trent rosecrans, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto: 'The donkey has already been spoken for'," 28 June 2017
There's something inherently dad-ish about an oversized jean jacket, which, considering he's got two kids and just turned 40, could explain West's recent affinity for the style (even if most of his are $1,000+ designer versions).

— jake woolf, GQ, "Kanye West Owns an Alarming Amount of Jean Jackets," 27 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of affinity

Middle English affinite, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French affinité, from Latin affinitas, from affinis bordering on, related by marriage, from ad- + finis end, border

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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affinity Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

AFFINITY Defined for English Language Learners

affinity

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noun

Definition of affinity for English Language Learners

: a feeling of closeness and understanding that someone has for another person because of their similar qualities, ideas, or interests
: a liking for or an attraction to something
: a quality that makes people or things suited to each other

AFFINITY Defined for Kids

affinity

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noun af·fin·i·ty \ ə-ˈfi-nə-tē \

Definition of affinity for Students

plural affinities

:a strong liking for or attraction to someone or something

They had much in common and felt a close affinity.

Medical Dictionary

affinity

play

noun af·fin·i·ty \ ə-ˈfin-ət-ē \

medical Definition of affinity

plural affinities

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

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

Law Dictionary

affinity

play

noun af·fin·i·ty \ ə-ˈfi-nə-tē \

legal Definition of affinity

plural affinities

:relationship by marriage — compare consanguinity

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AFFINITY Defined for English Language Learners

affinity

Definition of affinity for English Language Learners

AFFINITY Defined for Kids

affinity

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affinity

medical Definition of affinity

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affinity

legal Definition of affinity

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