affinity meaning

UK US /əˈfɪnəti/ 4 syllables

affinity (noun): (immunology) the attraction between an antigen and an antibody.

affinity has 7 meanings in this dictionary.

affinity as a noun

  1. (immunology) the attraction between an antigen and an antibody

    Type of: attraction

  2. (anthropology) kinship by marriage or adoption; not a blood relationship

    Opposite: consanguinity

    Type of: kinship

    Kinds: steprelationship

    Related forms: affine

  3. (biology) state of relationship between organisms or groups of organisms resulting in resemblance in structure or structural parts
    • in anatomical structure prehistoric man shows close affinity with modern humans

    Synonyms: phylogenetic relation

    Type of: kinship

  4. a close connection marked by community of interests or similarity in nature or character
    • found a natural affinity with the immigrants
    • felt a deep kinship with the other students
    • anthropology's kinship with the humanities

    Synonyms: kinship

    Type of: relation

    Kinds: rapport, sympathy

  5. the force attracting atoms to each other and binding them together in a molecule
    • basic dyes have an affinity for wool and silk

    Synonyms: chemical attraction

    Type of: force

  6. inherent resemblance between persons or things

    Type of: resemblance

  7. a natural attraction or feeling of kinship
    • an affinity for politics
    • the mysterious affinity between them
    • James's affinity with Sam

    Type of: attraction

How to pronounce affinity

affinity is pronounced /əˈfɪnəti/ in American English. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.

Words that rhyme with affinity

Word lists: words starting with AF · words ending in TY · 8-letter words

More about affinity on Wikipedia.