Affinity can mean a natural liking or sympathy, a close similarity, or—in science—the strength of attraction between substances. The surrounding context tells you which meaning is intended.
What does affinity mean in everyday English?
A natural liking or sympathy
Affinity can describe an inclination toward someone or something, often linked to shared characteristics. For example, “She has a natural affinity for water” means she seems naturally drawn to it. Cambridge Dictionary defines this sense as a liking or sympathy for someone or something, especially because of shared characteristics.
A close similarity
Affinity can also mean a close resemblance between things. If someone notes affinities between two paintings, they mean the works have similarities. This sense is also recorded by Cambridge Dictionary.
What does affinity mean in science?
Chemistry and biology
In chemistry and biology, affinity describes the strength of attraction between two substances, such as chemicals or an antigen and an antibody. The U.S. National Cancer Institute’s Dictionary of Cancer Terms uses this broad scientific sense.
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Immunology: antibody and epitope
In immunochemistry, affinity has a more specific meaning: the strength of association between a single antibody and a single epitope of an antigen. An epitope is the part of an antigen that an antibody recognizes. The IUPAC Gold Book defines immunochemical affinity this way and notes that an affinity, or binding, constant characterizes the antibody–antigen reaction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How can you tell which meaning is intended?
- If the sentence describes what a person is drawn to, affinity means liking or sympathy.
- If it compares objects, works, or ideas, affinity may mean similarity.
- If it discusses chemicals, molecules, antibodies, or antigens, it refers to scientific attraction or association.
In ordinary conversation, saying that two people have an affinity does not imply a measured molecular interaction. Scientific uses describe interactions between substances; immunological affinity can be defined at the level of one antibody and one epitope.
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