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 of affectionate

• loving
• adoring

Examples of affectionate in a Sentence

an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely

Recent Examples on the Web

Tall, affectionate and funny, Charles moved through life demanding moral clarity, which could be intimidating, Savannah said. —Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026

The couple who followed them—two shirtless men, around the same height, alternately lifting each other up and rolling over each other with playful, affectionate aggression—struck me as equally political, suggesting not just what was banned but what was possible. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026

Not like Bruce, who is very warm and affectionate. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026

As the first book in Quinn’s ambitious, interconnected series, The Duke and I is tasked with introducing society matron Violet Bridgerton and her eight affectionate, squabbling children, as well as their many friends (and frenemies) in 1800s British high society. —Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Jan. 2026

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