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Showing results for affectionately. Search instead for affectionally.
Synonyms

affectionately

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

adverb

  1. 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

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

I can make out barely a silhouette, but the man in the driving seat raises a hand off the steering wheel in greeting and Eliza waves back affectionately in return.

From Literature

Conan O'Brien is returning to hosting duties this year, after a barnstorming performance in 2025 where he performed comedic musical numbers and affectionately roasted the nominees in his opening monologue.

From BBC

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

From BBC

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.