affectionate

[ uh-fek-shuh-nit ]
See synonyms for affectionate on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. showing, indicating, or characterized by affection or love; fondly tender: an affectionate embrace.

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

  1. Obsolete.

    • strongly disposed or inclined.

    • passionate; headstrong.

    • biased; partisan.

Origin of affectionate

1
First recorded in 1485–95; affection1 + -ate1, on the model of passionate

Other words for affectionate

Other words from affectionate

  • af·fec·tion·ate·ly, adverb
  • af·fec·tion·ate·ness, noun
  • pseu·do·af·fec·tion·ate, adjective
  • qua·si-af·fec·tion·ate, adjective
  • un·af·fec·tion·ate, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use affectionate in a sentence

  • There was altogether a simplicity and an affectionateness in her every word, look, and gesture, which were really captivating.

  • The insinuating affectionateness and winning playfulness had hitherto not been brought out so distinctly.

  • Because of our constancy I expected something better than the serene affectionateness that shone in Dick's smile.

  • Of all the qualities, indeed, of his nature, affectionateness seems to have been the most ardent and most deep.

  • And so was the affectionateness of woman—meaning nothing, only an effect of warmth and geniality, nothing beyond that.

    The Marriage of Elinor | Margaret Oliphant

British Dictionary definitions for affectionate

affectionate

/ (əˈfɛkʃənɪt) /


adjective
  1. having or displaying tender feelings, affection, or warmth: an affectionate mother; an affectionate letter

Derived forms of affectionate

  • affectionately, 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