Affection vs. Attachment: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on September 24, 2023
Affection refers to tender feelings or fondness toward someone or something. Attachment is a deeper emotional bond that ties one entity to another, potentially including dependency.
Key Differences
Affection and Attachment are both emotional states but serve different purposes and manifest differently in relationships. Affection is often the initial emotional layer in any relationship, characterized by fondness, care, or even simple liking. Attachment, conversely, is a deeper, more complex emotional state, often developing over time, that may include elements of dependency and commitment.
Affection can be ephemeral and context-dependent. For example, you may feel affection for a co-worker because they make the workday more enjoyable, but this doesn't mean you are attached to them. Attachment, on the other hand, often involves long-term feelings and can exist without the presence of affection. For instance, one might remain attached to a childhood friend even without regular interaction or current affectionate feelings.
Grammatically speaking, both Affection and Attachment are nouns. However, the verb forms are "to affect" and "to attach," respectively, and they cannot be used interchangeably. Affection usually implies a positive emotional experience, whereas Attachment can be either positive or negative, depending on the nature of the emotional bond and potential dependency involved.
Affection can exist in numerous forms—platonic, romantic, familial, or even toward objects or pets. It's a versatile emotion that can be experienced in various degrees and types. Attachment, however, often implies a more monolithic emotional experience, being generally related to deeper emotional bonds that are harder to break, be it in romantic relationships, parent-child relationships, or even attachment to a place or object.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Tender feelings or fondness
Deeper emotional bond
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Connotation
Usually positive
Can be positive or negative
Grammatical Category
Noun
Noun
Verb Form
To affect
To attach
Typical Contexts
Initial, various types
Deeper, potentially enduring
Affection and Attachment Definitions
Affection
Tender feelings toward someone or something.
His affection for his dog was evident.
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Attachment
A strong emotional bond.
His attachment to his family was admirable.
Affection
A gentle fondness or liking.
Her affection for painting shone through.
Attachment
A long-term association or connection.
Their attachment had lasted for years.
Affection
An expressive gesture of love or care.
She received an affection from her grandmother in the form of a hug.
Attachment
Legal seizure of property or earnings.
The court ordered the attachment of his assets.
Affection
A tender feeling toward another; fondness.
Attachment
The act of attaching or the condition of being attached.
Affection
Often affections Feeling or emotion
An unbalanced state of affections.
Attachment
Something, such as a tie, band, or fastener, that attaches one thing to another.
Affection
A disposition to feel, do, or say; a propensity.
Attachment
An emotional bond, as of affection or loyalty; fond regard.
Affection
(Obsolete) Prejudice; partiality.
Attachment
A supplementary part; an accessory
Bought a vacuum cleaner with several attachments.
Affection
The act of affecting or acting upon.
Attachment
A supplementary document that is attached to a primary document
Stapled two attachments to the memorandum.
Affection
The state of being affected, especially: a change in, or alteration of, the emotional state of a person or other animal, caused by a subjective affect (a subjective feeling or emotion), which arises in response to a stimulus which may result from either thought or perception.
Attachment
A file that is attached to an email.
Affection
An attribute; a quality or property; a condition.
Attachment
Legal seizure of property.
Affection
An emotion; a feeling or natural impulse acting upon and swaying the mind.
Attachment
The writ ordering such a seizure.
Affection
A feeling of love or strong attachment.
I have a lot of affection for my little sister.
The marriage therapist suggested they show each other more affection.
Attachment
The act or process of (physically or figuratively) attaching.
Affection
A disease; a morbid symptom; a malady.
Attachment
A strong bonding with or fondness for someone or something.
I have such an attachment towards my fiancé!
Affection
To feel affection for.
Attachment
A dependence, especially a strong one.
Affection
The act of affecting or acting upon; the state of being affected.
Attachment
A device attached to a piece of equipment or a tool.
Affection
An attribute; a quality or property; a condition; a bodily state; as, figure, weight, etc. , are affections of bodies.
And, truly, waking dreams were, more or less,An old and strange affection of the house.
Attachment
The means by which something is physically attached.
Affection
Bent of mind; a feeling or natural impulse or natural impulse acting upon and swaying the mind; any emotion; as, the benevolent affections, esteem, gratitude, etc.; the malevolent affections, hatred, envy, etc.; inclination; disposition; propensity; tendency.
Affection is applicable to an unpleasant as well as a pleasant state of the mind, when impressed by any object or quality.
Attachment
(computing) A file sent along with a message, usually an email.
Affection
A settled good will; kind feeling; love; zealous or tender attachment; - often in the pl. Formerly followed by to, but now more generally by for or towards; as, filial, social, or conjugal affections; to have an affection for or towards children.
All his affections are set on his own country.
Attachment
(legal) Taking a person's property to satisfy a court-ordered debt.
Attachment of earnings
Affection
Prejudice; bias.
Attachment
(meteorology) The act or process by which any (downward) leader connects to any available (upward) streamer in a lightning flash.
Affection
Disease; morbid symptom; malady; as, a pulmonary affection.
Attachment
The act attaching, or state of being attached; close adherence or affection; fidelity; regard; an passion of affection that binds a person; as, an attachment to a friend, or to a party.
Affection
The lively representation of any emotion.
Attachment
That by which one thing is attached to another; connection; as, to cut the attachments of a muscle.
The human mind . . . has exhausted its forces in the endeavor to rend the supernatural from its attachment to this history.
Affection
Affectation.
Attachment
Something attached; some adjunct attached to an instrument, machine, or other object; as, a sewing machine attachment (i. e., a device attached to a sewing machine to enable it to do special work, as tucking, etc.).
Affection
Passion; violent emotion.
Most wretched man,That to affections does the bridle lend.
Attachment
A seizure or taking into custody by virtue of a legal process.
Affection
A positive feeling of liking;
He had trouble expressing the affection he felt
The child won everyone's heart
Attachment
A feeling of affection for a person or an institution
Affection
Emotional warmth or closeness.
The child's affection for her parents was touching.
Attachment
A supplementary part or accessory
Affection
Mild preference or partiality.
His affection for classic cars was well-known.
Attachment
A writ authorizing the seizure of property that may be needed for the payment of a judgment in a judicial proceeding
Attachment
A connection that fastens things together
Attachment
Faithful support for a religion or cause or political party
Attachment
The act of attaching or affixing something
Attachment
The act of fastening things together
Attachment
A feeling of dependency or need.
She had an unhealthy attachment to her job.
Attachment
An accessory or addition.
He bought a new attachment for his vacuum cleaner.
FAQs
Is Affection Always Positive?
Generally, yes, it implies a positive emotional experience.
Is Affection the Same as Attachment?
No, affection is often initial and can be fleeting, while attachment is deeper and long-lasting.
What is Affection?
Affection is the tender feeling or fondness one has towards someone or something.
Is Attachment Always Positive?
No, it can be either positive or negative.
Is Attachment Always Long-term?
Generally, it is more enduring than affection.
Is Affection Temporary?
It can be, depending on the context and relationship.
What is Attachment?
Attachment is a deeper emotional bond that ties one entity to another.
Is Affection a Noun?
Yes, affection is a noun.
What is the Verb Form of Affection?
The verb form is "to affect."
What is the Verb Form of Attachment?
The verb form is "to attach."
Is Attachment a Noun?
Yes, attachment is also a noun.
Can Attachment Exist Without Affection?
Yes, attachment can exist without affection.
Can Affection Turn Into Attachment?
Yes, affection can develop into attachment over time.
Can Affection Exist Without Attachment?
Yes, you can have affection without attachment.
Is Attachment Unhealthy?
It can be, if it leads to dependency or negative emotions.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
