affection

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   A warm, caring feeling of liking someone or something, usually milder than passionate love.

   Grammar: Often followed by for: affection for her grandmother.

   Patterns

   • affection for someone
   • affection between people

   He felt deep affection for the old dog.

   There was real affection between the two brothers despite their arguments.

   She spoke of her hometown with great affection.

2. 2noununcountable

   Kind actions or words, such as hugs and gentle touches, that show you care about someone.

   Grammar: Often the object of show, give or crave: show affection.

   Patterns

   • show affection to someone
   • give someone affection

   The toddler craved affection from his parents.

   They are not shy about showing affection in public.

   The cat rubbed against my leg as a sign of affection.

3. 3nounusually pluralold-fashionedformal

   A feeling of fondness toward someone or something, in the plural.

   Grammar: In the plural it is somewhat literary or old-fashioned: she won his affections.

   Patterns

   • win someone's affections

   He tried to win her affections with poems and flowers.

   Her affections were divided between two cities.

   The prince transferred his affections to a new favorite.

Word forms

Common combinations

show affection

Some people find it hard to show affection openly.

deep affection

She holds a deep affection for her old school.

term of affection

'Sweetheart' is a common term of affection in some families.

public displays of affection

The school rules ban public displays of affection.

lavish affection on

They lavish affection on their new puppy.

Synonyms and how they differ

fondness

Fondness is slightly milder and often applies to things or habits as well as people.

tenderness

Tenderness emphasizes gentle physical or emotional care, rather than just general liking.

warmth

Warmth describes a friendly manner as much as a feeling, so it can apply to strangers too.

devotion

Devotion is stronger and suggests loyal, steady commitment, not just kind feelings.

Opposites

Word family

affectionate adjective

showing love or fondness easily

affectionately adverb

in a loving, caring way

affect verb

to touch someone's feelings (older sense)

Commonly confused: affection or affectation?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “affection”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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