amity

noun

am·​i·​ty ˈa-mə-tē 

plural amities

: friendship

especially : friendly relations between nations

an era of international amity

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The Long History of Amity

Amity comes from the Latin word for "friend," amicus, and is used especially for relationships between political leaders and nations in which goodwill is shown despite differences that might exist between the two parties. Amicus is also the root of the adjectives amiable and amicable.

Synonyms of amity

• friendship
• cordiality

Examples of amity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Of course, their amity turned out to be a time bomb. —Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026

His ease in the landscape, practical intelligence, local alliances, and obvious interest offer not just an escape, but one new amity – a true alternative to the abuse she’s endured. —Erin Douglass, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 2025

Instead, Starr would be my roving ambassador of joy and amity in an America that felt starved of such things. —Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025

Those who yearn for peace and stability, commerce and comradery, amity with our friends and neighbors? —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English amyte, amiste, borrowed from Anglo-French amité, amisté (earlier and continental Old French amistet, amistiet), going back to Vulgar Latin *amīcitāt-, *amīcitās, alteration (by substitution of the suffix -itāt-, -tās -ity), of Latin amīcitia, from amīcus "friendly, well-disposed" + -itia, suffix forming nouns from adjectives, extended form of -ia -ia entry 1 — more at amiable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amity

• calamity

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Kids Definition

amity

noun

am·​i·​ty ˈam-ət-ē 

plural amities

: friendship

especially : friendly relations between nations