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 of affectionate

• loving
• adoring

Examples of affectionate in a Sentence

an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely

Recent Examples on the Web

His take on the professional star whisperer, ready to drop everything for his client in a nanosecond and able to coax him out of funks via endless distractions, is neither cloyingly affectionate nor barbed. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025

Cindy’s affectionate and smart. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 12 Nov. 2025

In an affectionate Instagram post for his 45th birthday, Jenner shared several photos of the couple over the years. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025

The shelter explained that Bowie is a friendly, affectionate dog who thrives with structured exercise and engagement. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 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