affectionate

[ uh-fek-shuh-nit ]

adjective

1. showing, indicating, or characterized by affection or love; fondly tender:

   an affectionate embrace.

   Synonyms: fond, loving

2. having great affection or love; warmly attached; loving:

   your affectionate brother.

3. Obsolete.
   1. strongly disposed or inclined.
   2. passionate; headstrong.
   3. biased; partisan.

affectionate

/ əˈfɛkʃənɪt /

adjective

1. having or displaying tender feelings, affection, or warmth

   an affectionate mother

   an affectionate letter

Derived Forms

• afˈfectionately, adverb

Other Words From

• af·fec·tion·ate·ly adverb
• af·fec·tion·ate·ness noun
• pseu·do·af·fec·tion·ate adjective
• qua·si-af·fec·tion·ate adjective
• un·af·fec·tion·ate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of affectionate¹

First recorded in 1485–95; affection ¹ + -ate ¹, on the model of passionate

Example Sentences

Speaking five months after the sentencing, he said at first the relationship seemed "normal", though in hindsight he could see that she was "overly affectionate".

From BBC

After the screening, during which the sold-out audience burst into cheers throughout, Bullock was joined onstage for an affectionate 50-minute Q&A with her co-star Keanu Reeves and the movie’s director, Jan de Bont.

From Los Angeles Times

Hiding out with his older lover at his grandmother’s during a global crisis seems like a ripe opportunity for comedy, but Morrison doesn’t give us many details other than that they developed their own affectionate form of nonsense talk.

From Los Angeles Times

Kamala Harris’s step-children calling her by an affectionate name that plays on the word “Mom”? This evidences a household that has all the love it needs — and all the humility.

From Salon

Too bad that more measured view of talent wasn’t as interesting to the makers of the affectionate yet hollow homage that is “Saturday Night.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• caring
• friendly
• loving
• sympathetic
• warm
• warmhearted