affectionate

adjective

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

adoring, devoted, fond, loving, tender, tenderhearted

Antonyms

unloving

Examples of affectionate in a Sentence

an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely

Recent Examples on the Web

Some cat breeds are closely associated with specific behaviors: Ragdolls, for example, are often viewed as relaxed, friendly and affectionate, while Russian Blues are considered more intelligent and reserved. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Your Cat’s Attitude Actually Is Closely Linked to Its Breed, Survey Shows," 19 June 2019 Over the years, the press has jokingly covered Biden’s public antics with women, from handsy photos to borderline comments to overly affectionate embraces. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign and policy positions, explained," 26 June 2019 And America’s flaws did not disabuse him of his affectionate embrace of its character, any more than his own flaws did of his self-embrace. — Edward Rothstein, WSJ, "‘Poet of the Body: New York’s Walt Whitman’ Review: An American Bard’s Early Years," 24 June 2019 Sherlock Holmes has long invited affectionate parody. — Michael Dirda, Washington Post, "The enduring fascination with Sherlock Holmes: It’s elementary.," 19 June 2019 Indeed, many men do successfully become more verbally affectionate with their fathers or their sons. — The Conversation, oregonlive.com, "This is how many dads express their love for sons," 16 June 2019 Many folks revealed affectionate thoughts that aren’t often said until your funeral. — Steve West, sun-sentinel.com, "Celebrating a milestone | Opinion," 14 June 2019 Once a mighty power in the building as Senate Republican leader, he had been forced to resign his post following some imprudently affectionate references to his fellow Republican senator, arch-segregationist Strom Thurmond. — Andrew Cockburn, Harper's magazine, "No Joe!," 10 June 2019 The tone is hushed, domestic, affectionate, with no Dostoevskian scenery-chewing or Tolstoyan efforts to nail down the meaning of life. — Christopher Tayler, Harper's magazine, "New Books," 10 Mar. 2019

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