affective

adjective

af·​fec·​tive a-ˈfek-tiv 

1

: relating to, arising from, or influencing feelings or emotions : emotional

cognitive and affective symptoms

the novel's affective death scene

2

: expressing emotion

affective language

behaviors that elicit affective reactions

affectively adverb

affectivity

ˌa-ˌfek-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

Examples of affective in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To develop socially savvy agents, organizations need to invest in affective computing and natural language processing technologies. —Douglas B. Laney, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025

Economic engagement also has an affective dimension, encouraging an emotional connection to China, especially in places where other opportunities are scarce. —Maria Repnikova, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022

The process of cultivating future leaders—equipped with the gamut of skills, from communicative and interpretive to affective and perceptual, needed to lead proactive collaboration—is no different. —Lynette Tan, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

The affective and autobiographical connections between the artist and curator were explicitly acknowledged at certain points in the show. —Mateus Nunes, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English affectif, borrowed from Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin affectīvus, from Latin affectus, past participle of afficere "to produce an effect on, exert an influence on" + -īvus -ive — more at affect entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing affective

• affective disorder
• schizo-affective
• seasonal affective disorder

Medical Definition

affective

adjective

af·​fec·​tive a-ˈfek-tiv 

: relating to, arising from, or influencing feelings or emotions : emotional

affective symptoms

affectively adverb

affectivity

ˌaf-ˌek-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

noun

plural affectivities