Synonyms

affectionately

American

[uh-fek-shuh-nit-lee] / əˈfɛk ʃə nɪt li /

adverb

in a way that shows or is characterized by affection or love.

Georgia’s favorite pet is a Russian tortoise, whom she has affectionately named Speedbump.

Other Word Forms

pseudoaffectionately adverb
quasi-affectionately adverb
unaffectionately adverb

Etymology

Origin of affectionately

affectionate ( def. ) + -ly

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.

MV Isle of Arran, a 42-year-old ship affectionately known as the Auld Trooper, has a problem with its fire suppression system.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

He has five close childhood friends he affectionately calls knuckleheads, although a couple are doctors and one is an atomic physicist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

They described him as a "devoted husband, a wonderful father, and a proud and loving grandfather, known affectionately as 'Bampi'."

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

The closing of the Pali Post, as community members affectionately called it, was a direct result of the destruction wrought by the January 2025 firestorm.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

“It was also a plan that we did not approve of or agree to,” Amah said, shaking her head at them, even though she could not help smiling affectionately.

From "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023