affability

[ af-uh-bil-i-tee ]

noun

1. the quality of being pleasantly easy to approach and talk to; friendliness or warm politeness:

   Her affability and good nature endear her to all those acquainted with her, and put at ease anyone meeting her for the first time.

Other Words From

• un·af·fa·ble·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of affability¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; from Middle French affabilité, from Latin affābilitāt-, stem of affābilitās, equivalent to affābil(is) “that can be spoken to, courteous” ( affable ( def ) ) + -itās -ity ( def )

Example Sentences

While jaunty affability is Danson’s trademark, Fey is a withering social critic whose deeply pessimistic outlook on race, gender and other social-justice issues has been known to incite controversy.

From Time

Both offered Liverman an early showcase for his affable presence onstage and the elasticity of his instrument.

From Washington Post

But Fallon has it, that natural affability that is an absolute prerequisite for talk-show hosting success.

From The Daily Beast

They were hustlers, raconteurs, and had an affability about them that suggested they would make excellent dinner companions.

From The Daily Beast

Joffe also possesses a key skill beyond the reach of programming: social affability.

From The Daily Beast

Whereas Lessard had acted the martinet with MacRae, he took another tack and became the very essence of affability toward me.

From Project Gutenberg

She saw at once that he resented her leisurely way and her attempt at affability, and she hastened to apologize.

From Project Gutenberg

There is nothing insipid or affected, nothing of that simpering affability that his successors brought into vogue.

From Project Gutenberg

By his affability, correctness, and fairness in all his work he has succeeded marvellously in attaching every one to himself.

From Project Gutenberg

But the captain had him by the arm and was dancing him about the sidewalk, showing more affability than was his wont.

From Project Gutenberg