avidity

noun

avid·​i·​ty ə-ˈvi-də-tē How to pronounce avidity (audio)
a-
plural avidities
1
: the quality or state of being avid:
a
: keen eagerness
b
: consuming greed
2

Examples of avidity in a Sentence

an advanced case of avidity that led to shoplifting at the tender age of 13 in her avidity to express her opinions, she frequently and unthinkingly interrupts people
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump’s enthusiasm for Russian President Vladimir Putin—and avidity for Russian money—dates back 20 years. David Frum, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025 Voltaire’s avidity was, instead, part of the performance of his role as Top French Thinker—a position that might be unofficial but is as sharply defined as the papacy and has been handed on from one intellectual to the next over the centuries. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024 Her avidity added some dimension to Gold’s vision of a world in which justice is meted out to those who speak most eloquently and power redounds to those who are already powerful. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 The sheer avidity and gusto of Genevieve Simon’s all-out performance as Rosalind sets the tone for this winningly buoyant production of Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for avidity

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of avidity was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Avidity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avidity. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

avidity

noun
: a characteristic of antibodies (such as antitoxins) that tends to enhance their rate or stability in binding with an antigen
Antibody avidity is an average measure of the affinity of the antibodies for a particular antigen in a serum sample.Dominic F. Kelly, The New England Journal of Medicine

More from Merriam-Webster on avidity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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