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

However, when given affectionate touch from their partner, these feelings significantly reduced. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

With proper training and care, American bullies can make affectionate and loyal family pets. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

In some cases, even affectionate nicknames or pet mishaps have shown up right alongside serious action items. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Yum Yum is marginal to the investigative action, but affectionate and pretty. —Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 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