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

• loving
• adoring

Examples of affectionate in a Sentence

an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely

Recent Examples on the Web

But, outside of the kennel, Newton is a different dog: eager, affectionate, and incredibly responsive to praise. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025

Part of the fun of Austen’s novels is her affectionate skewering of that world order. —Brandon Taylor, Time, 17 July 2025

Al is incredibly affectionate and loves being close to his people. —Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025

Behavioral changes like being overly affectionate or aggressive are also common, and rabies typically develops three to eight weeks after being exposed. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 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