affable

[af-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to; friendly; cordial; warmly polite.

   an affable and courteous gentleman.

   Synonyms: sociable, gracious, genial, approachable, amiable, accessible
   Antonyms: standoffish, distant, inaccessible, unapproachable, unsociable, unfriendly

2. showing warmth and friendliness; benign; pleasant.

   an affable smile.

affable

/ ˈæfəbəl /

adjective

1. showing warmth and friendliness; kindly; mild; benign

2. easy to converse with; approachable; amicable

Other Word Forms

• affability noun
• affableness noun
• affably adverb
• unaffable adjective
• unaffably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of affable¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin affābilis “that can be spoken to, courteous,” equivalent to af- af- + fā- “speak” ( fate ) + -bilis -ble, perhaps via Middle French

Word History and Origins

Origin of affable¹

C16: from Latin affābilis easy to talk to, from affārī to talk to, from ad- to + fāri to speak; compare _fable , _fate

Synonym Study

See civil.

Example Sentences

With an affable exuberance, Safdie has something of the gregarious showman about him.

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The picture about two affable bandits who have outlived their time became the highest-grossing Western in motion picture history and highlighted the duo’s near-perfect comic timing.

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She’s presenting herself as a sweet, affable wife whose ability to make small talk with important people offers a useful moderating force on her snarling bully of a husband.

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If he was the father of Minimalism — or, more accurately, the affable uncle — he presented “In C” as a gift to the world, rather than a plan for action.

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The vibe at the opening was affable and positive.

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Related Words

• amiable 
• approachable 
• courteous 
• genial 
• gentle 
• good-humored 
• good-natured 
• gracious 
• pleasant 
• polite 
• sociable 
• urbane