affectionately
Americanadverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of affectionately
Explanation
When you do something affectionately, you do it in a way that shows fondness and warm feelings toward someone. Patting your dog's head affectionately may earn you a tail wag. The adverb affectionately comes from the noun affection, which means "a gentle feeling of fondness or liking." Punching someone's shoulder affectionately will likely elicit a smile as opposed to a sneer, as it wasn't intended to hurt but rather to show friendship. The word affectionately evokes acts of kindness and warmth, like a loving smile, a gentle touch, or encouraging words — expressing genuine care for someone special in your life.
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.
Affectionately nicknamed Jet Blue, the 2-year-old dog officially moved in with Officer Skeeter Black and his family on Sunday.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026
Affectionately called "big sister" by her teammates, she is leading a new generation of Japanese stars including Nakai, 17, and Chiba, 20.
From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026
Affectionately known as “the lion” by fellow players, Barakat had played for the national team as well as a number of clubs in Gaza, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 13, 2024
Affectionately referred to as “the fragrant plant” in Chinese for their singular, sweet aroma, pandan leaves are palm-like in appearance — bright-green, long and spiky.
From Salon • Feb. 15, 2024
Affectionately he pulled the little beast’s ear, then nodded toward a small street they were approaching.
From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
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.
