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View synonyms for affable

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
“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


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Derived Forms

  • ˈaffably, adverb
  • ˌaffaˈbility, noun
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Other Words From

  • af·fa·bil·i·ty [af-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], af·fa·ble·ness noun
  • af·fa·bly adverb
  • un·af·fa·ble adjective
  • un·af·fa·bly adverb
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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
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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
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Synonym Study

See civil.
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Example Sentences

The Southern Poverty Law Center has described Heimbach as “the affable, youthful face of hate in America” who is, in many ways, “the grand connector” among various hate groups.

Apart from my affable old roommate, Logan, I didn’t know the rest of these Spikeballers all that well.

Democratic mainstay Terry McAullife—bestie to the Clintons, former Democratic National Committee chairman and perhaps the most affable fundraiser in the party—is looking to again become the gubernatorial nominee.

From Time

Our guide on that tour is affable company spokesman Steve Tuttle, who cheerfully explains Axon’s mission using words like “transparency” and “passion.”

From Time

Luke Combs, Eric Church and Luke Bryan keep dominating the radio with affable odes to love, heartbreak, whiskey and small towns.

From Time

Four, the recruitment by the Republicans of affable-seeming candidates who had some discipline drilled into them.

And that brings me to an otherwise affable cast of candidates.

He was always affable but ultimately unknowable; intellectually incurious but ferociously ambitious.

She plays Lolly, an affable inmate who listens to Piper recount her gruesome bashing of Pennsatucky, whom she believes she killed.

He had to prove that Fallon's reign isn't a fluke, that late night really can be a home for the affable and good-natured.

In manners affable, and in benevolence unsurpassed, the Kentucky planter gains the plaudits of all.

Col. Moore, a veteran politician of the Old Dominion, was a most pleasant and affable gentleman, and a great lisper withal.

Montaigne would say:219 I will have elbow-room: I will be courteous and affable according to my fancy, without fear or remorse.

It was the rule to be courteous, affable, gentlemanly, for all this was in harmony with the severity of art.

She had seen him on his former visit, and remembered favourably his genial good-humour and affable bearing.

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