Synonyms for

Affectionate

Verb / ʌˈfekʃʌnʌt / / ʌˈfekʃʌnɪt / Another word for affectionate — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

showing love or fondness for someone

Synonyms & similar words

warm lovesome fond tender loving caring fond devoted tender warm gentle kind amorous doting fondling lovesome romantic sympathetic tactful tenderhearted touching yearning ardent attached

Synonyms by register

Formal

benevolent cordial amorous tender

Informal

loving caring sweet doting warm

Literary

fond ardent devoted

Antonyms

unfriendly hostile indifferent aloof cold disdainful apathetic

Common collocations

  • deeply affectionate
  • very affectionate
  • show affection
  • affectionate gesture
  • affectionate touch
  • affectionate greeting
  • affectionate towards

Word family

noun affection
adverb affectionately

Usage note

This word describes a warm and tender feeling or expression towards someone. It is generally positive and can be used in both personal and more formal contexts, though it leans towards expressing personal warmth.

Example sentences

  1. My mom is very affectionate and always gives me hugs.
  2. The dog was affectionate towards its owner.
  3. She wrote an affectionate letter to her friend.
  4. He gave his girlfriend an affectionate kiss on the cheek.
  5. The elderly couple was very affectionate towards each other.

Quotes

  • Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives. - C. S. Lewis
  • The most powerful symptom of love is a tenderness which becomes at times almost insupportable. - Victor Hugo
  • Affection, like melancholy, magnifies trifles; but the magnifying of the one is like looking through a telescope at heavenly objects; that of the other, like enlarging monsters with a microscope. - Leigh Hunt

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words