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
Synonyms 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.
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.