Affectionate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ə-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nət/ af·fec·tion·ate

Meaning & Definition of Affectionate

Affectionate (adjective)

  1. feeling or showing affection or warm regard, loving
  2. motivated by affection, tender
  3. inclined, disposed

Affectionate (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. feeling or showing love

    "an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely"

    similar: adoring, devoted, fond, loving, tender, tenderhearted
    related: caring, compassionate, considerate, cordial, doting, forgiving, friendly, humane, kind, understanding, warmhearted, ardent, fervent, impassioned, passionate, warm, amatory, amorous, erotic, enamored, infatuated, lovesick, lovey-dovey, mushy, romantic, sappy, sentimental, brotherly, fatherly, motherly, sisterly
    opposite: unloving
    near: aloof, antisocial, cold-eyed, cool, detached, distant, dry, frosty, hard-hearted, indifferent, offish, pitiless, remote, reserved, standoffish, unbending, uncaring, unfeeling, disaffected, unconcerned, uninvolved, cold, frigid, unfriendly, callous, cold-blooded, hard-boiled, heartless, ruthless, soulless, unromantic, unsentimental

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Affectionate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Affectionate:

adoring, devoted, fond, loving, tender, tenderhearted

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Affectionate

Words with the opposite meaning of Affectionate:

unloving

Related Words for Affectionate

caring, compassionate, considerate, cordial, doting, forgiving, friendly, humane, kind, understanding, warmhearted, ardent, fervent, impassioned, passionate, warm, amatory, amorous, erotic, enamored, infatuated, lovesick, lovey-dovey, mushy, romantic, sappy, sentimental, brotherly, fatherly, motherly

Near Antonyms of Affectionate

aloof, antisocial, cold-eyed, cool, detached, distant, dry, frosty, hard-hearted, indifferent, offish, pitiless, remote, reserved, standoffish, unbending, uncaring, unfeeling, disaffected, unconcerned, uninvolved, cold, frigid, unfriendly, callous, cold-blooded, hard-boiled, heartless, ruthless, soulless

Word Forms of Affectionate

Derived words: affectionately (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Affectionate

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

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Affectionate

What does "Affectionate" mean?

"Affectionate" means feeling or showing affection or warm regard, loving. As an adjective, it is defined as: feeling or showing affection or warm regard, loving.

What is another word for "Affectionate"?

Other words for "Affectionate" include adoring, devoted, fond, loving, tender and tenderhearted. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Affectionate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Affectionate"?

There are 37 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Affectionate". Common alternatives include adoring, devoted, fond, loving, tender and tenderhearted.

What is the opposite of "Affectionate"?

Antonyms of "Affectionate" include unloving. Near antonyms include aloof, antisocial, cold-eyed and cool.

How do you use "Affectionate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Affectionate" in a sentence: "an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely".

Is "Affectionate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Affectionate" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Affectionate"?

"Affectionate" is pronounced /ə-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nət/ and divided into syllables as af·fec·tion·ate.

What is the origin of the word "Affectionate"?

"Affectionate" comes from partly borrowed from Medieval Latin affectiōnātus "inclined, disposed, well-disposed," from Latin affectiōn-, affectiō affection + -ātus -ate:3; partly formed from affection + -ate:3 after Middle French affectionné "having affection for," past participle of affectionner "to have affection for," derivative of affection. First known use: 15th century.