af·fin·i·ty
ə-ˈfi-nə-tē
plural affinities
1
b(1)
: an attraction to or liking for something
shared an affinity for spicy snacks
(2)
: an attractive force between substances or particles that causes them to enter into and remain in chemical combination
2
: relationship by marriage
related by affinity
3
a
: likeness based on relationship or causal connection
noticed several affinities between the two paintings
Football fans … have a more obvious affinity with the crowds who scream at pop concerts than with the more sedate audiences in theatres …—Ronald Hayman
b
: a relation between biological groups involving resemblance in structural plan and indicating a common origin
chemistry
: of, relating to, involving, or used in affinity chromatography
The unwanted antibodies are removed in affinity columns, which contain a matrix to which other antibodies have already been allowed to bind …—Scientific American
Although affinity labeling was originally developed for the investigation of enzymes, it has also added significantly to the study of the structure of active sites in other systems …—Meir Wilchek et al.
Cite this Entry
“Affinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affinity. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.
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