affection

af-fec-tion · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A gentle feeling of fondness, caring, or liking for someone or something.

  2. 2.

    (Often plural) A person's emotions or feelings of love.

  3. 3.

    (Archaic/Medical) A disease or pathological condition.

Forms

plural: affections

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    show affection — To display feelings of love or fondness through actions.
  • •
    public display of affection (PDA) — Showing romantic affection in public.
  • •
    win someone's affections — To gain someone's love or fondness.
  • •
    starved for affection — Lacking emotional warmth or love.

Related words

Antonyms: animosity, dislike, hatred
See also: affectionate, fondness, love
Synonyms: fondness, love, tenderness, warmth

Etymology

From Old French affection, from Latin affectio, affectionem ("a relation, disposition, state of mind or body"), from afficere ("to act upon, affect"), from ad- ("to") + facere ("to do, make").