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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.

“He can swear and still be a gentleman if he does it in a nice and benevolent and affectionate way.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

“We’re known for being very romantic, affectionate people,” she explains.

From Salon • Feb. 14, 2026

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 • Feb. 2, 2026

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

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

She was more affectionate to Úrsula than any of her own children had been, and she called Arcadio and Amaranta brother and sister, Aureliano uncle, and José Arcadio Buendía grandpa.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

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.