affinity

Everyday

1. A natural liking for or feeling of understanding with someone or something. tree →
2. A close likeness or connection between things. tree →
3. (science) A tendency of substances to join or react with each other. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday and story use, a person «has an affinity for» animals or music. In science, chemicals have an affinity. Phrases: «an affinity for/with», «feel an affinity».

Examples

• She has a real affinity for horses. tree →
• I felt an affinity with the lonely boy in the book. tree →
• There is an affinity between the two languages. tree →
• Water has an affinity for salt, which dissolves in it. tree →
• He had an affinity with numbers from a young age. tree →
• The two artists share an affinity of style. tree →

Note

Countable and uncountable; usually «affinity for» or «affinity with». Formal, but common in writing. Do not confuse with «infinity».