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

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

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