affectionate

adjective

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af·fec·tion·ate | \ ə-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nət

Definition of affectionate

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

Other Words from affectionate Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about affectionate

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Synonyms & Antonyms for affectionate

Synonyms

Antonyms

unloving

Examples of affectionate in a Sentence

an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely

Recent Examples on the Web In the tapes, dear old dad mentions using Ned's List to find women after Alice stopped being affectionate, which is the same way that the Lonely Highway women make connections. — Samantha Highfill, EW.com, "Riverdale recap: A prison break brings about total chaos," 1 Apr. 2021 Elliott Peterson said his mother wasn't very outwardly affectionate but showed her love through food. — Kate Brumback, ajc, "Atlanta spa shooting victim remembered as fun and selfless," 27 Mar. 2021 This girl is very affectionate and just loves lots of attention. — The Arizona Republic, "Marigold and more pets up for adoption in Phoenix-area shelters this week," 19 Sep. 2020 Filmmaker and actor Albert Brooks crafted portraits of contemporary life that are somehow ironic and earnest, affectionate and misanthropic, stretching their knowing authenticity to a point of skeptical absurdity. — Los Angeles Times, "Q&A: ‘Defending Your Life’ at 30. Why Albert Brooks’ view of afterlife bureaucracy endures," 30 Mar. 2021 Elliott Peterson said his mother wasn't very outwardly affectionate but showed her love through food. — Kate Brumback, ajc, "Atlanta spa shooting victim remembered as fun and selfless," 27 Mar. 2021 Elliott Peterson said his mother wasn't very outwardly affectionate but showed her love through food. — Kate Brumback, Star Tribune, "Atlanta spa shooting victim remembered as fun and selfless," 26 Mar. 2021 Loved ones might be more affectionate than usual, so staying at home together with popcorn and a movie might suit you. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, "Horoscope for Jan. 22, 2021: Virgo, remain reasonable; Pisces, your imagination kicks into high gear," 22 Jan. 2021 Norberto Ferrera, an Argentine historian at the Fluminense Federal University in Brazil, said Mr. Maradona’s connections to Latin American leaders were more affectionate than strategic. — Manuela Andreoni, New York Times, "Argentina, and Latin America, Mourn Maradona as a Man of the People," 26 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'affectionate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for affectionate

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