amity: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, literary, diplomatic
Quick answer
What does “amity” mean?
A friendly and peaceful relationship between individuals, groups, or nations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A friendly and peaceful relationship between individuals, groups, or nations.
The state or condition of mutual goodwill, concord, and cooperative peace. It implies a formal or official peacefulness that is often publicly expressed, more substantive than mere friendliness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; the word is equally formal and low-frequency in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes diplomacy, treaties, and official relations. Slightly archaic or literary feel in both dialects.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, slightly more likely to be encountered in historical or diplomatic writing.
Grammar
How to Use “amity” in a Sentence
live in amity with [someone/something]treaty of amity and [cooperation/commerce]promote amity between [two parties]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in formal corporate communications about mergers or partnerships, e.g., 'The merger was conducted in a spirit of amity.'
Academic
Used in history, political science, and international relations to describe peaceful interstate relations.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Not used in technical fields outside of specific diplomatic/legal treaty terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “amity”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “amity”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amity”
- Using it to describe close personal friendship (too strong).
- Confusing with 'amnesty' (a pardon).
- Mispronouncing as /eɪˈmɪti/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal, low-frequency word used primarily in diplomatic, historical, or literary contexts.
'Friendship' implies personal affection and intimacy. 'Amity' is more formal and describes peaceful, cooperative relations, often between groups or nations, without implying close personal bonds.
No, 'amity' is only a noun. The related adjective is 'amiable' (friendly in manner) or 'amicable' (characterised by friendliness).
'Treaty of amity and commerce' is a standard diplomatic phrase.
A friendly and peaceful relationship between individuals, groups, or nations.
Amity is usually formal, literary, diplomatic in register.
Amity: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæm.ɪ.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæm.ə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A treaty of amity and commerce.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'AMITy' as 'A MUTual ITY' – a mutual, friendly relationship. Or link it to the Latin 'amicus' (friend), like 'amiable'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEACE/RELATIONSHIP IS A BOND (bonds of amity); PEACE/RELATIONSHIP IS A STRUCTURE (foundations of amity).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'amity' LEAST likely to be used?