affectionate

adjective

af·​fec·​tion·​ate ə-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nət 

1

: feeling or showing affection or warm regard : loving

affectionate friends

an affectionate nickname

2

: motivated by affection : tender

affectionate care

3

obsolete : inclined, disposed

affectionately adverb

Synonyms

• adoring
• devoted
• fond
• loving
• tender
• tenderhearted

Examples of affectionate in a Sentence

an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely

Recent Examples on the Web

But for a squirrel to become as affectionate and loving as Peanut is very rare, Tindal said. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024

This little lap dog is incredibly friendly and affectionate with humans. —The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 27 Oct. 2024

The blue and green bracelet, which is understood to have been made by Princess Charlotte ahead of her dad's trip, features the affectionate name William’s three children, Prince George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, call him spelled out in black and white beads. —Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Throughout her pregnancy, Andrea McCue, of Scottsdale, Arizona, noticed how affectionate Diana was. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

partly borrowed from Medieval Latin affectiōnātus "inclined, disposed, well-disposed," from Latin affectiōn-, affectiō affection + -ātus -ate entry 3; partly formed from affection + -ate entry 3 after Middle French affectionné "having affection for," past participle of affectionner "to have affection for," derivative of affection

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

affectionate

adjective

af·​fec·​tion·​ate ə-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nət 

: feeling or showing a great liking for a person or thing : loving

affectionately adverb