affinity

[əˈfɪnəti]

affinity Definition

  • 1a natural liking or sympathy for someone or something
  • 2a similarity of characteristics suggesting a relationship, especially a resemblance in structure between animals, plants, or languages

Using affinity: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "affinity" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    She has an affinity for music and plays several instruments.

  • Example

    The two languages share an affinity in their grammar structures.

  • Example

    The bird's beak has an affinity to the shape of the flower it feeds on.

affinity Synonyms and Antonyms

Antonyms for affinity

Phrases with affinity

  • a group of people who share a common interest or goal, often used in activism or social movements

    Example

    The environmental organization formed an affinity group to protest against deforestation.

  • the tendency of substances to combine with each other in chemical reactions

    Example

    The chemical affinity between hydrogen and oxygen causes them to form water.

  • a laboratory technique used to separate and purify proteins based on their affinity to specific molecules

    Example

    The scientist used affinity chromatography to isolate a specific protein from a mixture.

Origins of affinity

from Latin 'affinitas', meaning 'relationship by marriage'

📌

Summary: affinity in Brief

The term 'affinity' [əˈfɪnəti] refers to a natural liking or sympathy for someone or something, as well as a similarity of characteristics suggesting a relationship. Examples include 'She has an affinity for music,' and 'The two languages share an affinity in their grammar structures.' 'Affinity' extends into phrases like 'affinity group,' denoting a group of people who share a common interest or goal, and 'chemical affinity,' referring to the tendency of substances to combine in chemical reactions.

How do native speakers use this expression?