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

Trading affectionate texts with his wife until late at night. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2024

Bridgerton costars Bessie Carter and Sam Phillips, 40, were photographed being affectionate on June 25 while on a walk together. —Athena Sobhan, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024

Page Six spotted the former couple in an affectionate embrace at their daughter’s soccer game. —Sophie Hanson, StyleCaster, 26 June 2024

Emma Helfrich - Arizona Humane Society Willow: Shy, sweet, and has extra toes Willow is a 6-year-old affectionate female. —The Arizona Republic, 14 June 2024

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