affinity
uh-FIN-ih-tee
/əˈfɪnɪti/
A natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc.
Suggests an inherent, structural, or natural alignment or connection, as if by design.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'affinitas', meaning 'relationship by marriage', from 'affinis' (bordering on, related to), which is composed of 'ad-' (to) + 'finis' (border). It literally means sharing a border.
Word relationships
- attraction: Attraction can be sudden and superficial, whereas affinity implies a deeper, structural compatibility.
- repulsion: Repulsion is a feeling of intense disgust or a force that pushes things apart.
Commonly confused with
- infinity: Infinity refers to boundless time or space, while affinity refers to a natural connection.
Word family
- affinitive (adjective): Closely related or connected.
Collocations
- natural affinity
- affinity for
- affinity between
- close affinity
Example sentences
- "From a young age, the prodigy showed a natural affinity for classical piano music." A description of artistic talent
Memory hook
'Affinity' is like an 'infinity' loop of natural connection between two things. Natural border-sharing connection
When not to use
Do not use for forced or deliberately cultivated relationships; it must feel natural.
Fun facts
- In chemistry, 'affinity' refers to the tendency of certain chemical species to combine with others, mirroring its social meaning.
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