adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/əˈfɛkʃənətli/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:AH0 F EH1 K SH AH0 N AH0 T L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adv
Meaning 1
In an affectionate manner.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Catherine is affectionately known as "Kit Kat" to her friends.
The couple were touching each other affectionately.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adverb
Meaning 2
with affection
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
she loved him dearly
he treats her affectionately
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: dearly, dear
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English affectionate Middle English -ly English -ly English affectionately From affectionate + -ly.
Across languages
Translations
10 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Catalan:
afectuosament
— in an affectionate manner
Esperanto:
ame
— in an affectionate manner
Esperanto:
aminde
— in an affectionate manner
Finnish:
hellästi
— in an affectionate manner
French:
affectueusement
— in an affectionate manner
Norman:
affectueusement
— in an affectionate manner
Polish:
czule
— in an affectionate manner
Portuguese:
afetuosamente
— in an affectionate manner
Portuguese:
carinhosamente
— in an affectionate manner
Spanish:
afectuosamente
— in an affectionate manner