affection
/əˈfek.ʃən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Affection is a feeling of fondness, warmth, or care for someone or something. It is often shown through kindness, gentle words, or physical closeness.
- She has a lot of affection for her grandmother.
- He showed affection by hugging his son.
- The teacher spoke with affection about her students.
Adinary Nuance
Affection is warmer and softer than love. It often suggests care, liking, or tenderness, not deep romantic love. Compared with fondness, affection usually feels more emotional and personal. Compared with care, it adds visible warmth.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự yêu mến
- Spanish
- cariño
- Chinese
- 喜爱
- Japanese
- 愛情
- Korean
- 애정
Etymology
Affection comes from Latin affectio, meaning 'feeling' or 'disposition'. It entered English through Old French in the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
show affectionaffection for someonea sign of affectionterms of affection
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is affection the same as love?
- Not exactly. Affection is usually softer and less intense than love.
- Is affection formal or informal?
- It is neutral and common in both speaking and writing.
- Can I use affection for things, not people?
- Yes. You can say affection for a place, pet, or hobby.
- How do I use affection in a sentence?
- Use it with for: 'She felt affection for her old school.'