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

While being affectionate around adults and children, the breed will stand up to threats from strangers. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025

Everyone will want to have fun and will feel relaxed and affectionate. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 4 June 2025

In the lead-up to the announcement, Siwa and Hughes shared a series of affectionate photos across their social media profiles, soft-launching their relationship. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 2 June 2025

Steel asked Mia about positive and affectionate texts to Diddy, with his point being that a victim wouldn’t send kind missives. —Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 2 June 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