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0 English - Dictionary monolingual

Affection

əˈfɛkʃ(ə)n
Very common
~ 1500
~ 1500, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
A feeling of fondness or tenderness towards someone or something, A gentle feeling of fondness or liking, An attribute or quality that arouses love and admiration

Affection - Meanings

A feeling of fondness or tenderness towards someone or something

Example: She showed great affection towards her newborn baby.
Usage: formalContext: family relationships, romantic relationships
Note: Often used to express love and care.

A gentle feeling of fondness or liking

Example: He has a deep affection for animals.
Usage: formalContext: relationships with pets, hobbies
Note: Can be used to describe a strong liking or attachment.

An attribute or quality that arouses love and admiration

Example: The old house had a charming affection.
Usage: formalContext: describing objects or places
Note: Used to describe a characteristic that evokes positive emotions.

Affection's synonyms

love

Love is a deep affection or strong feeling of care towards someone or something.
Example: She expressed her love for her family through acts of kindness.
Note: Love typically implies a stronger and more intense feeling of affection compared to affection.

fondness

Fondness refers to a liking or affectionate feeling towards someone or something.
Example: He had a fondness for collecting vintage coins.
Note: Fondness often conveys a gentle or sentimental affection.

attachment

Attachment denotes a strong emotional connection or bond with someone or something.
Example: The child formed a strong attachment to her favorite stuffed animal.
Note: Attachment implies a close and enduring emotional bond, often with a sense of dependency.

devotion

Devotion signifies loyalty, dedication, or commitment to a person, cause, or activity.
Example: His devotion to his work was evident in the long hours he dedicated to it.
Note: Devotion often implies a deep and unwavering commitment beyond mere affection.

Affection expressions, common phrases

Show affection

To demonstrate love or fondness towards someone through actions or words.
Example: She showed affection towards her children by giving them hugs and kisses.
Note: The phrase 'show affection' specifies the act of displaying love or fondness, while 'affection' itself is the feeling of love or fondness.

Affectionate gesture

A physical action or expression that conveys love or fondness towards someone.
Example: He greeted her with an affectionate gesture, giving her a warm hug.
Note: An 'affectionate gesture' refers to a specific action showing love, while 'affection' is the general feeling of love or fondness.

Hold affection

To maintain feelings of love or fondness towards someone over time.
Example: Despite the challenges, they continued to hold affection for each other.
Note: The expression 'hold affection' reflects the ongoing nature of maintaining love, whereas 'affection' is the initial feeling of love or fondness.

Deep affection

An intense or profound feeling of love or fondness towards someone.
Example: Their friendship was characterized by deep affection and mutual respect.
Note: When we say 'deep affection,' it emphasizes the strength or intensity of the feeling, whereas 'affection' alone does not specify the depth.

Tender affection

Gentle and caring love or fondness shown towards someone.
Example: She looked at him with tender affection, her eyes full of love.
Note: 'Tender affection' conveys a sense of gentleness and care in expressing love, while 'affection' itself is the general feeling of love or fondness.

Express affection

To convey or communicate love or fondness towards someone openly and clearly.
Example: It's important to express affection for your partner through words and actions.
Note: 'Express affection' focuses on the act of communicating love, whereas 'affection' refers to the feeling itself.

Lack of affection

Absence or deficiency of love or fondness in a relationship or interaction.
Example: The child's behavior showed a clear lack of affection from his parents.
Note: 'Lack of affection' highlights the absence or deficiency of love, while 'affection' itself denotes the presence of love or fondness.

Open affection

Public display or expression of love or fondness towards someone.
Example: In their culture, showing open affection in public was considered inappropriate.
Note: 'Open affection' refers to public displays of love, while 'affection' is the feeling itself, whether expressed openly or privately.

Affection everyday (slang) expressions

Crush

A strong feeling of admiration or love for someone, often when you are young.
Example: I have a crush on my co-worker.
Note: Crush implies an initial or developing romantic attraction rather than established affection.

Smitten

To be completely enamored or infatuated with someone.
Example: She was smitten with him from the moment they met.
Note: Smitten conveys a sudden, intense feeling of affection or attraction.

Infatuated

To have an intense but short-lived admiration or passion for someone or something.
Example: He's infatuated with the idea of being in love.
Note: Infatuated often implies a superficial or temporary form of affection.

Crush on

To have a romantic interest or attraction towards someone.
Example: She has a crush on her gym instructor.
Note: Adding 'on' emphasizes a specific person towards whom the affection is directed.

Friendly

To have a platonic or non-romantic relationship with someone.
Example: We're just friends, nothing more.
Note: Friendly implies a warm relationship without romantic involvement.

Fond of

To like or have a strong affection for someone or something.
Example: I'm quite fond of her sense of humor.
Note: Fond of expresses a level of liking or affection without intense romantic connotations.

Head over heels

To be completely and deeply in love or infatuated with someone.
Example: He's head over heels in love with his new girlfriend.
Note: Head over heels emphasizes a strong and overwhelming level of affection or love.

Affection - Examples

Affection is important in any relationship.
She showed her affection by cooking his favorite meal.
The puppy's affection for its owner was evident in its wagging tail.

Affection grammar

Affection - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)
Lemma: affection
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): affections, affection
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): affection
Syllables, Separation and Stress
affection Contains 3 syllables: af • fec • tion
Phonetic transcription: ə-ˈfek-shən
af fec tion , ə ˈfek shən (The red syllable is stressed)

Affection - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
affection: ~ 1500 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.