affectionate

/ə'fekʃnit/

Thân thiện

An affectionate grandmother hugs her smiling grandchild.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Feeling or showing love, fondness, or tenderness: Describes a person or their actions that express warm, caring, and loving feelings towards someone or something.

Usage

• The word "affectionate" is used to describe a person's character or their specific actions and gestures.
• It is commonly followed by the prepositions "toward" or "with" (e.g., affectionate toward her children).
• It can be used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "be" or "seem").

Examples

• Adjective:
  • She is a very affectionate mother who always hugs her children.
  • The dog gave its owner an affectionate lick.
  • He has an affectionate nature and is always kind to his friends.
  • They shared an affectionate goodbye at the airport.

Advanced Usage

• "Affectionate" as a character trait: Used to describe a person who is generally loving.
  • Despite his tough appearance, he is surprisingly affectionate.
• In formal or literary contexts: Can describe a tone or manner.
  • She wrote an affectionate letter to her old teacher.

Variants and Related Words

• Affection (n): A feeling of liking and caring for someone or something.
  • He has a deep affection for his hometown.
• Affectionately (adv): In a way that shows love or fondness.
  • She smiled affectionately at the photo.
• Affectionateness (n): The quality of being affectionate. (Less common)

Synonyms

• Loving: Feeling or showing love.
• Fond: Having an affection or liking for.
• Tender: Showing gentleness, kindness, and affection.
• Warm: Showing enthusiasm, affection, or kindness.
• Devoted: Very loving or loyal.

Antonyms

• Cold: Lacking affection or warmth of feeling.
• Unfeeling: Unsympathetic, harsh, or cruel.
• Indifferent: Having no particular interest or sympathy.
• Hostile: Unfriendly; antagonistic.

Idioms and Phrases

• Affectionate terms/nicknames: Pet names or terms of endearment.
  • "Sweetheart" and "darling" are affectionate terms.
• To be affectionate toward someone: To show consistent love or fondness for a person.
  • He has always been affectionate toward his younger sister.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having or displaying warmth or affection
   • affectionate children
   • a fond embrace
   • fond of his nephew
   • a tender glance
   • a warm embrace

Từ đồng nghĩa

• fond
• lovesome
• tender
• warm