affection
Tender caring feeling
Affection is warm feeling toward another person—fondness short of passion but beyond mere liking.
It implies caring attachment: She felt deep affection for her grandmother.
The word suggests tenderness expressed through small gestures rather than grand declarations.
In older or medical usage, affection could mean any condition affecting the body or mind: a nervous affection.
Tight, affectionate clasp
- embraceHold closely in arms
- cuddleAffectionate close embrace
- caressGentle loving touch
- snuggleEmbrace cozily
kiss · nuzzle · squeeze · pat · stroke · holding hands · touch · nestle
Intense fond attachment
- adorationProfound loving regard
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- passionIntense emotional drive
- amourRomantic liaison, often illicit
romance · intimacy · cherish · beloved · ardor · eros · tenderness · heartfelt
Binding tie or connection
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- connectionA joining or relation
- closenessState of proximity
- kinshipState of being related
loyalty · devotion · commitment · affinity · intimacy · unity · tie · fidelity
Support growth and development
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- empathySharing another's emotions
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- benevolenceDisposition toward doing good
solicitude · gentleness · consideration · protectiveness · concern · support · patience · attentiveness
Warm liking or affection
- adorationProfound loving regard
- admirationDeep respect felt
- likingPositive inclination toward
- appreciationRecognition of worth
esteem · partiality · preference · soft spot · devotion · attachment · tendresse · endearment
Seeking another's romantic favor
- wooingRomantic pursuit of another
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- serenadeOutdoor romantic performance
- rosesThorny flowering shrubs
Valentine · candlelight · date · love letter · sweet nothings · PDA · tryst · billet-doux
hug
Tight, affectionate clasp
snuggle · kiss · nuzzle · squeeze · pat · stroke · holding hands · touch · nestle · spooning
love
Intense fond attachment
amour · romance · intimacy · cherish · beloved · ardor · eros · tenderness · heartfelt · truelove
bond
Binding tie or connection
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- connectionA joining or relation
- closenessState of proximity
kinship · loyalty · devotion · commitment · affinity · intimacy · unity · tie · fidelity · allegiance
nurture
Support growth and development
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- empathySharing another's emotions
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
benevolence · solicitude · gentleness · consideration · protectiveness · concern · support · patience · attentiveness · doting
fondness
Warm liking or affection
- adorationProfound loving regard
- admirationDeep respect felt
- likingPositive inclination toward
appreciation · esteem · partiality · preference · soft spot · devotion · attachment · tendresse · endearment · regard
courtship
Seeking another's romantic favor
- wooingRomantic pursuit of another
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- serenadeOutdoor romantic performance
roses · Valentine · candlelight · date · love letter · sweet nothings · PDA · tryst · billet-doux · chocolates
- loveadoration, amour, attraction, beloved, cherish
- family bondslove, parent-child bond, trust, sibling bond, loyalty
- supportsupport, emotional support, moral support, support group, stand by
- things people wantmoney, love, happiness, success, health
- romancelove story, amor, love, boyfriend, courting
- caregivingcaregiver, take care, nurture, look after, compassionate care
affectioncoldness
Low temperature state
indifference · detachment · apathy · aloofness · unconcern
- public display of affectionRomantic acts in open
- deep affectionIntense emotional attachment
- motherly affectionTender care from one's female parent
- withholding affectionDeliberately denying emotional warmth
- public affectionRomantic display among strangers
- seasonal affective disorderLight-linked recurring depression
affecting, affectionate, affectionately, disaffection, affections, affective, affectionless, unaffectionate