affectionate

[ uh-fek-shuh-nit ]

/ əˈfɛk ʃə nɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR affectionate ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

showing, indicating, or characterized by affection or love; fondly tender: an affectionate embrace.

having great affection or love; warmly attached; loving: your affectionate brother.

Obsolete.

strongly disposed or inclined.
passionate; headstrong.
biased; partisan.

Nearby words

Origin of affectionate

1485–95; affection¹ + -ate¹, on the model of passionate

SYNONYMS FOR affectionate

1. loving, fond.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR affectionate ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

af·fec·tion·ate·ly, adverbaf·fec·tion·ate·ness, nounpseu·do·af·fec·tion·ate, adjectivepseu·do·af·fec·tion·ate·ly, adverb

qua·si-af·fec·tion·ate, adjectivequa·si-af·fec·tion·ate·ly, adverbun·af·fec·tion·ate, adjectiveun·af·fec·tion·ate·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for affectionately

Or as Jon Goldwater, publisher and co-CEO of Archie Comics, affectionately calls him, “Archie West.”
Lena Dunham and the Renaissance of Archie Andrews (He’s Not Dead Yet)|Hugh Ryan|April 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A liberal's conception of tolerance presupposes what we once affectionately called "the Enlightenment."
Women: Talk To The Wall|Bernard Avishai|June 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He was the “uncle” just as the BBC is affectionately known as “auntie.”
Jimmy Savile Sex-Abuse Scandal Taints Entire Era in Britain|Peter Jukes|October 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Disraeli affectionately (and with irreverence that shocked everyone but la reine) referred to Victoria as the "Faery Queen."
Bachelor Brad Womack's Hidden Brilliance|Nicole LaPorte|February 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST

These physical traits signal a woman who is “protective of her family” and also “affectionately sexual.”
Tea Party Lewinsky Look-Alikes|The Daily Beast|October 4, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Miss Ottway drew Janet's arm through hers and patted it affectionately.
The Dwelling Place of Light, Complete|Winston Churchill
Freddy has been affectionately taxed by his betrothed with having been instrumental in its despatch, but he has delicately denied.
Doctor Cupid|Rhoda Broughton
When the martyrs met inside the walls they kissed each other affectionately and fell on their knees to thank God.
The Jesuits, 1534-1921|Thomas J. Campbell
I smiled at him affectionately before resuming my role as Santa Claus.
Autobiography of a YOGI|Paramhansa Yogananda
Then Finn turned to his mate and affectionately licked her low-hanging ears, flews, and dewlap.
Jan|A. J. Dawson

British Dictionary definitions for affectionately

affectionate

/ (əˈfɛkʃənɪt) /

adjective

having or displaying tender feelings, affection, or warmthan affectionate mother; an affectionate letter

Derived Formsaffectionately, adverb

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

Word Origin and History for affectionately

affectionately

adv.

1580s, from affectionate + -ly (2).

affectionate

adj.

1580s, "fond, loving," from affection + -ate (1). Early, now mostly obsolete, senses included "inclined" (1530s), "prejudiced" (1530s), "passionate" (1540s), "earnest" (c.1600). Other forms also used in the main modern sense of the word included affectious (1580s), affectuous (mid-15c.).

affectionate

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of affectionate

Examples from the Web for affectionately

affectionate

adjective

affectionately

affectionate