Words / B2

uh-FEKSHUN/əˈfekʃn/

Affection is warm liking or gentle love: show affection, a lasting affection for a place. Liking is everyday and weaker; fondness is a close cousin; love is stronger. Affectionate is the adjective. In speech, she is fond of them is enough. Affection is tender, not passionate. Do not use it for professional respect alone — that is regard or respect.

Meaning

A feeling of liking or gentle love.

Examples

• “She has a deep affection for her old teacher.”
• “He kept a quiet affection for the library where he had revised for GCSEs.”
• “The dog showed more affection than the cat, which was no surprise to anyone.”

Good to know

Warm liking / gentle love. Adjective: affectionate. Everyday: fondness. Stronger: love. Not the same as respect.

Near in meaning

fondness

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