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

Finn is her brave, affectionate brother who keeps her safe. —Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025

TikTokers were quick to react and expressed similar affectionate experiences with their poodles. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025

At one point, Anderson reached up to give Neeson an affectionate kiss on the cheek. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 29 July 2025

In addition to taking sharp (if affectionate) meta-swipes at Sandler’s movie career, Funny People subverts its primary hook, crafting a character portrait of a guy set up to have a life-changing epiphany… and then doesn’t. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 26 July 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