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

Her drawing may, like theirs, court a deliberate awkwardness, but the effect is usually less mordant, even affectionate. — Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Julie Bowen‘s Claire, Mitch’s sister, and her husband, Ty Burrell‘s Phil Dunphy, were the most affectionate of the show’s main couples. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

For a quintessential Up North afternoon, head to Gabriel Farms, an 1880s farmstead with vineyards, U-pick apples and berries, and affectionate farm pups. — Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Veteran flight attendants with decades of experience often earn an affectionate nickname among airline crews. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 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