affectionate

adjective

af·​fec·​tion·​ate ə-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nət How to pronounce affectionate (audio)
Synonyms of affectionatenext
1
: feeling or showing affection or warm regard : loving
affectionate friends
an affectionate nickname
2
: motivated by affection : tender
affectionate care
3
obsolete : inclined, disposed
affectionately adverb

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of affectionate in a Sentence

an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely
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.
But for a squirrel to become as affectionate and loving as Peanut is very rare, Tindal said. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024 This little lap dog is incredibly friendly and affectionate with humans. —The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 27 Oct. 2024 The blue and green bracelet, which is understood to have been made by Princess Charlotte ahead of her dad's trip, features the affectionate name William’s three children, Prince George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, call him spelled out in black and white beads. —Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024 Throughout her pregnancy, Andrea McCue, of Scottsdale, Arizona, noticed how affectionate Diana was. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for affectionate 

Word History

Etymology

partly borrowed from Medieval Latin affectiōnātus "inclined, disposed, well-disposed," from Latin affectiōn-, affectiō affection + -ātus -ate entry 3; partly formed from affection + -ate entry 3 after Middle French affectionné "having affection for," past participle of affectionner "to have affection for," derivative of affection

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

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

Dictionary Entries Near affectionate

affectional

affectionate

affectionated

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Affectionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affectionate. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

affectionate

adjective
af·​fec·​tion·​ate ə-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nət How to pronounce affectionate (audio)
: feeling or showing a great liking for a person or thing : loving
affectionately adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on affectionate

Nglish: Translation of affectionate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of affectionate for Arabic Speakers

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