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

Ushikubo is charming and affable, with a poise that radiates outward.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In a victim personal statement, the victim's brother, John Blackwood, said she was the "hub of the family... affable, inoffensive" and had many friends.

Read more on BBC

Mr. Carlson, by contrast, can be smooth and affable with an air of perfect respectability.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"The honesty box means we can be part of my community - bringing something to them, rather than the business being solely online," says the affable Annabelle.

Read more on BBC

“He was the head of a hardened militia, yet he was very affable with a gentle manner,” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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