affability

American  

[af-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌæf əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

Rarely affableness

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.

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Other Word Forms

• unaffableness noun

Etymology

Origin of affability

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

His affability was undeniable, largely because Candy was as kindhearted and authentic in real life as he was onscreen.

From Salon

Gary was a lawyer whose affability never offended off the court, but on the court I found him pushy.

From Los Angeles Times

"There is an affability about him, but he's also not afraid of stirring the pot. He's very authentic and has a big personality without necessarily dominating the space."

From BBC

She's one of pop's most poised stars, choosing her words carefully and brushing away personal questions with a practised affability.

From BBC

There was a playfulness and affability that was lacking this year, and was instead replaced by tension, haughtiness, indifference and downright rudeness — a sentiment that I heard from multiple camp mates, both old and new.

From Los Angeles Times