affectionate

adjective

af·​fec·​tion·​ate ə-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nət How to pronounce affectionate (audio)
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

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.
In all his videos, an affectionate and softly romantic vision of the city came through. Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025 Franklin was affectionate in person but also adamant that William assign his American properties to Temple, to settle his debt to him for the years of subsidies. Stacy Schiff, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025 Staffies are now described by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as being hugely affectionate towards family and great with young children, with high intelligence, patience, and energy. Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 The Denver Zoo shared a few snaps of the affectionate duo — the only two females in their habitat — in a post on Facebook. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Affectionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affectionate. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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

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