affinity
gb/əfˈɪnɪti/ us/əfˈɪnɪti/
B2
English
~ 10000
affinitás, rokonság, kötési affinitás, sógorság
NOUN
B2
1
affinitás
C1
Usage pattern:
to have an affinity for [something]
She has a real affinity for children and always knows how to calm them down.
Valódi affinitása van a gyerekekhez, és mindig tudja, hogyan nyugtassa meg őket.
I've always felt a strong affinity for jazz music, even though no one in my family listens to it.
Mindig is erős affinitást éreztem a jazzzene iránt, pedig a családomban senki sem hallgat jazzt.
Many city dwellers feel an affinity for nature but rarely get the chance to visit the countryside.
He discovered an unexpected affinity for coding after taking a short online course.
The brand hopes to build an emotional affinity with young customers through social media.
Learner examples
I have an affinity for spicy food.
Affinitást érzek a csípős ételek iránt.
She feels a strong affinity for animals.
Erős affinitást érez az állatok iránt.
He has an affinity for learning new languages.
They share an affinity for old movies.
My brother has an affinity for fast cars.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse the structure and say *"I affinity music"* instead of *"I have an affinity for music"*. Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition; the usual patterns are *affinity for [something]* and *affinity with [someone/something]*. Some learners also confuse *affinity* with *infinity* because the words sound similar, but the meanings are completely different.
Meaning
strong natural liking or attraction
Collocations
have an affinity for
|feel an affinity with
|strong affinity
|natural affinity
|deep affinity
|affinity with nature
Synonyms
liking (More general and weaker; lacks the idea of a natural or special connection that 'affinity' suggests.)
|
attraction (Often used for romantic or physical pull; 'affinity' can be less emotional and more about feeling suited to something.)
|
fondness (Softer and more emotional; 'affinity' can sound more thoughtful or reflective.)
Antonyms
dislike (General negative feeling; the opposite of having a positive pull toward something.)
|
aversion (A strong desire to avoid something, directly opposing a strong attraction or liking.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|culture
Definition
A strong and natural liking for someone or something, as if it suits you very well.
A strong, often instinctive liking or attraction to someone or something, often with a sense of natural understanding or connection.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
rokonság
B2
Usage pattern:
an affinity between [things]
There is a clear affinity between her poetry and traditional folk songs.
Egyértelmű rokonság van a költészete és a hagyományos népdalok között.
Linguists have shown a strong affinity between these two regional languages.
A nyelvészek erős rokonságot mutattak ki e két regionális nyelv között.
The architect’s new work has an obvious affinity with mid‑century modern design.
Critics noted the film’s affinity with classic noir movies of the 1940s.
The two philosophies share an affinity in their focus on individual freedom.
Learner examples
There is an affinity between Spanish and Italian.
Van rokonság a spanyol és az olasz között.
Her new painting has an affinity with Japanese art.
Új festménye rokonságot mutat a japán művészettel.
These two stories show an affinity in style.
Scientists see an affinity between these two species.
The writer’s early books have an affinity with crime novels.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with the personal liking sense and say sentences like *"My affinity with jazz is strong"* when they mean they like jazz (sense 1). For similarity between things, it is more natural to say *"There is an affinity between jazz and blues"*. Another mistake is overusing *affinity* where simple words like *similarity* are more common in everyday speech; *affinity* often appears in more formal or academic contexts.
Meaning
close similarity or relationship between things
Collocations
close affinity
|strong affinity
|structural affinity
|affinity between
|affinity with
|conceptual affinity
Synonyms
similarity (Very general; 'affinity' suggests a deeper, more meaningful or systematic likeness.)
|
kinship (Often suggests a deeper or almost family-like connection; 'affinity' can sound more neutral and analytical.)
|
resemblance (Focuses on how things look or seem alike; 'affinity' may include origin, structure, or ideas, not just appearance.)
Antonyms
difference (General lack of similarity, contrasting with the idea of close relationship.)
|
dissimilarity (Specifically highlights that things are not alike, the opposite of a close likeness.)
Themes
science
|language
|art
|ideas
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A clear and special similarity or relationship between things, such as ideas, styles, or languages.
A close similarity, relationship, or connection between things, especially in their structure, style, ideas, or origin.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
high/low affinity for [molecule/substance]
This drug has a high affinity for dopamine receptors in the brain.
Ez a gyógyszer nagy kötési affinitást mutat az agy dopaminreceptoraihoz.
The antibody’s affinity for the antigen determines how strongly it will bind.
Az antitest antigénhez való kötési affinitása határozza meg, milyen erősen kötődik.
Researchers measured the binding affinity between the enzyme and its substrate.
By changing one amino acid, they greatly reduced the protein’s affinity for calcium ions.
The test is based on the affinity of the dye molecules for fatty tissues.
Learner examples
The hormone has a high affinity for this receptor.
A hormon nagy kötési affinitást mutat ehhez a receptorhoz.
This chemical shows low affinity for water.
Ez a vegyület alacsony affinitást mutat a vízhez.
Scientists tested the affinity between the protein and the drug.
Temperature can change the affinity of the enzyme for its substrate.
The medicine’s effect depends on its affinity for cells in the liver.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this technical sense with general emotional attraction and misread scientific texts. In scientific writing, *affinity* almost always refers to how strongly molecules or substances bind, often with numbers or units. It usually appears with modifiers like *binding*, *high*, *low*, or with specific targets like *receptors* or *substrates*.
Meaning
degree of chemical or molecular binding
Collocations
binding affinity
|high affinity
|low affinity
|receptor affinity
|substrate affinity
|affinity constant
Synonyms
binding strength (Describes the same scientific idea in a more descriptive way; *affinity* is the standard technical term.)
|
attraction (A more general term; in technical writing, *affinity* is preferred because it is more precise and measurable.)
Antonyms
repulsion (In scientific contexts, indicates a tendency to stay apart or push away, opposite to a tendency to bind or react.)
|
low affinity (Within the same technical scale, a low value is the practical opposite of high or strong affinity.)
Themes
science
|chemistry
|biology
|medicine
Definition
In science, the strength of how much one substance or molecule wants to join or bind to another substance or molecule.
In chemistry and biology, the tendency or strength with which one substance, such as a molecule or ion, binds to or reacts with another specific substance or molecule.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
4
sógorság
B2
Usage pattern:
related by affinity
In many legal systems, affinity is distinguished from blood relationship, or consanguinity.
Sok jogrendszerben a sógorságot megkülönböztetik a vérrokonságtól.
Marriage laws sometimes restrict unions between people within certain degrees of affinity.
A házassági törvények néha korlátozzák a házasságkötést bizonyos sógorsági fokon belül.
Your sister‑in‑law is related to you by affinity, not by blood.
The court considered both ties of blood and ties of affinity when deciding custody.
The document lists all relatives by consanguinity and by affinity.
Learner examples
He is not my blood relative; he is related to me by affinity.
Nem vérrokonom; sógorság révén áll rokonságban velem.
In law, affinity means a family tie by marriage.
A jogban a sógorság házasság útján létrejött családi kapcsolatot jelent.
Your wife’s parents are your relatives by affinity.
Some places ban marriage between people with a close affinity.
The lawyer explained the difference between affinity and blood relationship.
Common mistake:
Most learners never use this sense and may misunderstand it in legal texts, thinking it means emotional attraction. In legal or formal family contexts, *affinity* does not mean *liking*; it strictly refers to relationships created by marriage (such as with in‑laws).
Meaning
family relationship by marriage
Collocations
related by affinity
|relationship of affinity
|degrees of affinity
|affinity by marriage
|line of affinity
|prohibited degrees of affinity
Synonyms
in-law relationship (Informal description; *affinity* is the precise legal or technical term.)
|
relationship by marriage (Descriptive phrase explaining the term; used when speaking plainly rather than legally.)
Antonyms
blood relationship (Refers to people related by birth, which is contrasted with relationships formed through marriage.)
|
consanguinity (The technical legal term for blood relationship, the opposite category to *affinity*.)
Themes
law
|family
|relationships
Definition
In law and formal language, a type of family relationship that comes from marriage, not from being born into the same family.
A legal or formal term for a family relationship created by marriage rather than by blood, such as the connection between a person and their in‑laws.
Grammar
Dictionary form
affinity
IPA
GB/əfˈɪnɪti/
US/əfˈɪnɪti/
Syllables & stress
af - fin - ity (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fin)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: affinity
- Plural: affinities, affinity
Word family
Forms
affinities
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unaffiliated
adjective
Advanced or less common
affine
adjective
Expressions
a natural affinity for
1/ə nˈæt͡ʃɚəl əfˈɪnɪti fɚ/
fixed phrase
inborn liking or talent for something
An inborn or instinctive strong liking or talent for something.
Examples
- She showed a natural affinity for languages at a very young age.
- He has a natural affinity for numbers and enjoys solving complex problems.
- The child has a natural affinity for music and can play songs by ear.
binding affinity for
1/bˈaɪndɪŋ əfˈɪnɪti fɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
strength of molecular binding to a target
In science, the strength of how tightly a molecule joins to a specific target, such as a receptor or protein.
Examples
- The drug’s binding affinity for the receptor is very high.
- They compared the binding affinity for different types of antibodies.
- Low binding affinity for the target protein made the compound ineffective.
close affinity between
1/klˈoʊs əfˈɪnɪti bɪtwˈin/
fixed phrase
formal
strong similarity or relationship between two things
A strong and clear similarity or special relationship between two things.
Examples
- Researchers found a close affinity between the two regional dialects.
- There is a close affinity between her latest book and her earlier essays.
- The report shows a close affinity between income level and health outcomes.
feel an affinity with
1/fˈil ən əfˈɪnɪti wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
to experience natural closeness or identification
To feel that you are close to someone or something and understand them in a natural way.
Examples
- Many readers feel an affinity with the main character in the novel.
- I immediately felt an affinity with my new colleagues.
- He says he feels an affinity with people who grew up in small towns.
have an affinity for
1/hˈæv ən əfˈɪnɪti fɚ/
fixed phrase
to strongly and naturally like something
To strongly and naturally like something, as if it suits you very well.
Examples
- She has an affinity for classical music and goes to concerts every week.
- Many children have an affinity for sweet foods.
- I’ve always had an affinity for quiet, small towns.
have an affinity with
1/hˈæv ən əfˈɪnɪti wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
to feel natural connection or closeness
To feel a natural closeness or special connection with someone or something.
Examples
- He has an affinity with older people and volunteers at a retirement home.
- I feel I have an affinity with the sea and could watch it for hours.
- The teacher clearly has an affinity with teenagers and understands their worries.
related by affinity
1/ɹɪlˈeɪtɪd bˈaɪ əfˈɪnɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
family connection through marriage, not blood
Being family because of marriage, not because you are born into the same family.
Examples
- Your brother‑in‑law is related to you by affinity, not by blood.
- The law treats people related by affinity differently from blood relatives.
- Several witnesses were related by affinity to the accused.
share an affinity with
1/ʃˈɛɹ ən əfˈɪnɪti wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
formal
to have the same strong liking or connection
To have the same strong liking or special connection with something as someone else.
Examples
- The two artists share an affinity with nature that appears in all their work.
- Our company shares an affinity with local communities and supports many local projects.
- He felt that he shared an affinity with other immigrants in the city.