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Synonyms

affectionate

American  
[uh-fek-shuh-nit] / əˈfɛk ʃə nɪt /

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 British  
/ əˈfɛkʃənɪt /

adjective

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

    an affectionate mother

    an affectionate letter
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • affectionately adverb
  • affectionateness noun
  • pseudoaffectionate adjective
  • quasi-affectionate adjective
  • unaffectionate adjective

Etymology

Origin of affectionate

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As a bonus, she even offers up her cheek for a peck, which is as affectionate as things get between them.

From Los Angeles Times

‘The Pitt’ and ‘Industry’ make their eagerly anticipated returns, ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ proves a wonderfully weird zombie romp, Mel Brooks gets an affectionate documentary tribute, and much, much more.

From The Wall Street Journal

He describes Abril as a "lovely, generous, affectionate person who loved flowers and was always trying to solve other people's problems".

From BBC

And taking a seat next to Aunt Kitty, he gave my arm an affectionate punch.

From Literature

Once it was just her and Harry left, she revealed her identity as a faithful, shooting Harry an affectionate, trusting, reassuring look.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.