Etymology 1Edit

Partly from Latin affectionatus, partly from affection + -ate.



affectionate (comparative more affectionate, superlative most affectionate)

  1. (of a person) Having affection or warm regard; loving; fond.
    She eulogised her always warm and affectionate brother.
  2. (of an action, etc.) Characterised by or proceeding from affection; indicating love; tender.
    the affectionate care of a parent; an affectionate countenance; an affectionate message; affectionate language
Derived termsEdit
Related termsEdit

Etymology 2Edit

Either from the adjective, or from affection + -ate (modelled on Middle French affectionner).


  • IPA(key): /əˈfɛkʃəneɪt/


affectionate (third-person singular simple present affectionates, present participle affectionating, simple past and past participle affectionated)

  1. (rare) To show affection to; to have affection for.
  2. (obsolete, reflexive) To emotionally attach (oneself) to.
    • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essayes, London: Edward Blount, OCLC 946730821, Folio Society, 2006, p.21:
      Plutarch saith fitly of those who affectionate themselves to Monkies and little Dogges, that [].
    • 1721, John Rushworth, Historical Collections Of Private Passages of State, etc.: 1618—1629, Volume 1, page 222,
      And firſt, his Majeſty would have you to underſtand, That there was never any King more loving to his People, or better affectionated to the right uſe of Parliaments, than his Majeſty hath approved himſelf to be, [].
    • 1838 February 1, Charles Dickens, To Catherine Dickens, 2012, Jenny Hartley (editor), The Selected Letters of Charles Dickens, page 41,
      Ever my dear Kate your affectionated husband




  1. vocative masculine singular of affectionatus