affectionate

adjective

af·​fec·​tion·​ate ə-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nət 

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

• adoring
• devoted
• fond
• loving
• tender
• tenderhearted

Examples of affectionate in a Sentence

an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely

Recent Examples on the Web

While a hard, unblinking stare with stiff posture can signal aggression or resource guarding—especially over treats or toys—gentle, affectionate staring often expresses love. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025

Italian photographer Nicola Fioravanti was the overall winner in the professional division for his affectionate look at Morocco, his partner's birthplace. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025

Even though the two have kept their romance mostly under wraps, they've been affectionate in public before. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 8 May 2025

The pair are papped getting breakfast together at Salt's Cure in New York City, where onlookers describe them as affectionate. —Glamour, 4 May 2025

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

Kids Definition

affectionate

adjective

af·​fec·​tion·​ate ə-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nət 

: feeling or showing a great liking for a person or thing : loving

affectionately adverb