Synonyms

affectionately

American

[uh-fek-shuh-nit-lee] / əˈfɛk ʃə nɪt li /

adverb

in a way that shows or is characterized by affection or love.

Georgia’s favorite pet is a Russian tortoise, whom she has affectionately named Speedbump.

Other Word Forms

pseudoaffectionately adverb
quasi-affectionately adverb
unaffectionately adverb

Etymology

Origin of affectionately

affectionate ( def. ) + -ly

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.

Where they once undoubtedly took onlookers aback, they now draw them affectionately in.

From The Wall Street Journal

Most in attendance were elderly women, whom Davis affectionately calls “holler grannies,” using the term for the narrow, sheltered valleys where extended families often live here.

From The Wall Street Journal

We ventured to an underground gem affectionately dubbed the “Blade Runner” restaurant.

From Los Angeles Times

As those scenes played in New York, Swift affectionately turned to Saunders and yelled, "YES!" as he giggled and covered his face in feigned shyness.

From BBC

Modi, as the Italian was affectionately called, was urbane, well-groomed and handsome, while Soutine was destitute, sickly and notoriously unwashed.

From The Wall Street Journal

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