rhizoverbBeta
DictionarypropinquityNearness
noun

propinquity

pruh-PING-kwuh-tee/prəˈpɪŋkwəti/

Nearness in place or time.

The houses' propinquity leaves only a narrow path between their porches.

Two neighboring houses stand very close together, with only a narrow garden path between their facing porches, illustrating nearness in place.
Etymology
propinquLatinnear, neighboring
+ityLatinstate or quality

From “near,” propinquity names a state of closeness. Its early English use concerned kinship, showing that the nearness can connect people by relationship rather than physical distance.

In context

Columbia GSAPP103:17
a theme in your book which is propinquity and you know what um what creates connection and adjacency
Columbia GSAPP: New York_Global Book Launch with Professor Emeritus Richard Plunz

More examples

  • The propinquity of the deadlines leaves little room for delays.
  • Despite their propinquity, the villages have very different traditions.
  • Physical propinquity does not always lead to friendship.

Forms

propinquity

Similar words

proximity
Proximity is more common, especially for closeness in space.
nearness
Nearness is plainer and more common in everyday speech.