affectionate
adjective
af·fec·tion·ate
ə-ˈfek-sh(ə-)nət 
1
2
: motivated by affection : tender
affectionate care
affectionately
adverb
Examples of affectionate in a Sentence
an affectionate child who gives hugs and kisses freely
Recent Examples on the Web
Do that though, and whoever does take a chance on Deja will be rewarded with an affectionate and outgoing dog.
—
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
His daughter, Willa (the luminous Chase Infiniti, in her first film), is affectionate but short with him.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
In Schorr’s photograph, the duo, played by Julia Garner and Cole Escola, is more ambiguous, more gender-flouting, projecting an air of affectionate defiance.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
However, when given affectionate touch from their partner, these feelings significantly reduced.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
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Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
His daughter, Willa (the luminous Chase Infiniti, in her first film), is affectionate but short with him.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
In Schorr’s photograph, the duo, played by Julia Garner and Cole Escola, is more ambiguous, more gender-flouting, projecting an air of affectionate defiance.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
However, when given affectionate touch from their partner, these feelings significantly reduced.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affectionate
Cite this Entry
“Affectionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affectionate. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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