affable

adjective

af·fa·ble ˈa-fə-bəl How to pronounce affable (audio)

: being pleasant and at ease in talking to others

an affable host

: characterized by ease and friendliness

an affable manner

affability

ˌa-fə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce affable (audio)

noun

Did you know?

The Gender of an affable Personality?

One of the peculiarities of the English language is that ungendered words (especially nouns) may occasionally take gendered pronouns or modifiers. A ship, for example, is often called "she." We also find that some general-purpose words (especially adjectives) tend to be used of one sex rather than the other. Such is the case with affable, which our records show is far more likely to be used to describe a man than a woman. This should not be taken as evidence that men are friendlier or easier to speak with (nor should you shy away from describing a woman as affable), but it does serve to illustrate the manner in which the word is often used.

Example Sentences

Bertie's a bright, affable fellow, but every little success he has feels cheapened in comparison with his dad's overpowering accomplishments.

Lev Grossman, Time, 7 Feb. 2005 In repose, he can be affable and quite funny. But woe betide anyone who crosses him or who fails to perform to his demanding standards.

Anthony Bianco et al., Business Week, 9 Sept. 2002 The owner emerged from a galley kitchen … to explain that the restaurant was supposed to be closed. This roly-poly man with graying locks above a noble, high forehead was affable and articulate, not your average short-order cook.

John Krich, San Francisco Examiner, 21 Aug. 1994 a lively, affable young fellow as the show's affable host, she keeps the freewheeling gabfest from getting out of hand

Recent Examples on the Web Ellie’s affable owners, Bob and Ellie Smela, decided to sell their throwback diner to new owners and retire rather than jolt customers with higher meal costs caused by inflation.

Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 Mine is Stefan, an affable Dane who came to the Larp with his wife.

WIRED, 2 Sep. 2022 There are elves: Galadriel, High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo, playing a much more affable version of the character than Hugo Weaving’s mature, or at least crankier, iteration in the films).

Caroline Framke, Variety, 31 Aug. 2022 Several visitors to the park, as well as Wally’s owner, Joie Henney, posted images and videos of the affable alligator on a leash, greeting visitors and wandering through the water sprayed by the fountain.

Zoe Sottile, CNN, 28 Aug. 2022 Set 172 years before Daenerys’ birth, at a time when those giant winged serpents still roamed the skies, the premiere stars Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen, the affable but weak successor to the realm’s most beloved king.

Sean T. Collins, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2022 John’s classmates, affable bassist Stu Cook and intense drummer Doug Clifford, were the formidable rhythm section.

Elizabeth Nelson, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 Where Downe found the most contrast — and the basis for much of her costume work on the film — is in the affable friendship of Julia and Selina.

Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Aug. 2022 His typically affable persona was largely discarded this night, his voice frequently rising to an angry shout, punctuated by emphatic pointing.

Grace Segers, The New Republic, 11 Aug. 2022 See More

单词	affability
释义	affable adjective af·fa·ble ˈa-fə-bəl 1 : being pleasant and at ease in talking to others an affable host 2 : characterized by ease and friendliness an affable manner affability ˌa-fə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun Did you know? Affable comes from Latin affārī, meaning "to speak to." Other fārī relatives—the word itself means "to speak"—are infant, fable, and fate, among others. Did you know? The Gender of an affable Personality? One of the peculiarities of the English language is that ungendered words (especially nouns) may occasionally take gendered pronouns or modifiers. A ship, for example, is often called "she." We also find that some general-purpose words (especially adjectives) tend to be used of one sex rather than the other. Such is the case with affable, which our records show is far more likely to be used to describe a man than a woman. This should not be taken as evidence that men are friendlier or easier to speak with (nor should you shy away from describing a woman as affable), but it does serve to illustrate the manner in which the word is often used. Synonyms breezy devil-may-care easygoing happy-go-lucky laid-back low-pressure mellow See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Bertie's a bright, affable fellow, but every little success he has feels cheapened in comparison with his dad's overpowering accomplishments. Lev Grossman, Time, 7 Feb. 2005 In repose, he can be affable and quite funny. But woe betide anyone who crosses him or who fails to perform to his demanding standards. Anthony Bianco et al., Business Week, 9 Sept. 2002 The owner emerged from a galley kitchen … to explain that the restaurant was supposed to be closed. This roly-poly man with graying locks above a noble, high forehead was affable and articulate, not your average short-order cook. John Krich, San Francisco Examiner, 21 Aug. 1994 a lively, affable young fellow as the show's affable host, she keeps the freewheeling gabfest from getting out of hand Recent Examples on the Web Ellie’s affable owners, Bob and Ellie Smela, decided to sell their throwback diner to new owners and retire rather than jolt customers with higher meal costs caused by inflation. Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 Mine is Stefan, an affable Dane who came to the Larp with his wife. WIRED, 2 Sep. 2022 There are elves: Galadriel, High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo, playing a much more affable version of the character than Hugo Weaving’s mature, or at least crankier, iteration in the films). Caroline Framke, Variety, 31 Aug. 2022 Several visitors to the park, as well as Wally’s owner, Joie Henney, posted images and videos of the affable alligator on a leash, greeting visitors and wandering through the water sprayed by the fountain. Zoe Sottile, CNN, 28 Aug. 2022 Set 172 years before Daenerys’ birth, at a time when those giant winged serpents still roamed the skies, the premiere stars Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen, the affable but weak successor to the realm’s most beloved king. Sean T. Collins, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2022 John’s classmates, affable bassist Stu Cook and intense drummer Doug Clifford, were the formidable rhythm section. Elizabeth Nelson, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 Where Downe found the most contrast — and the basis for much of her costume work on the film — is in the affable friendship of Julia and Selina. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Aug. 2022 His typically affable persona was largely discarded this night, his voice frequently rising to an angry shout, punctuated by emphatic pointing. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 11 Aug. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English affabyl, borrowed from Anglo-French affable, borrowed from Latin affābilis, from affārī "to speak to, address" (from ad- ad- + fārī "to speak") + -bilis "capable of (being acted upon)" — more at ban entry 1, -able First Known Use 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Kids Definition affable adjective af·fa·ble ˈa-fə-bəl : friendly and easy to talk to an affable talk show host affability noun as in sweetness the state or quality of having a pleasant or agreeable manner in socializing with others First Lady Dolley Madison was beloved by the nation for her affability toward people from all walks of life Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance sweetness personableness geniality amiability agreeableness agreeability amiableness pleasantness niceness graciousness kindness cordiality friendliness cheerfulness good-naturedness mellowness complaisance gentleness amicability amity benignity delightfulness good-temperedness considerateness thoughtfulness cheeriness sunniness courteousness amenability politeness amenity courtesy kindliness sweetness and light likability gemütlichkeit attractiveness comity civility consideration empressement enjoyableness amicableness likableness pleasingness Antonyms & Near Antonyms disagreeableness unpleasantness discourtesy boorishness irascibility irritability rudeness incivility impoliteness petulance churlishness testiness peevishness crankiness grouchiness grumpiness orneriness biliousness contentiousness hostility querulousness unfriendliness ungraciousness fussiness contrariness cantankerousness vinegar sourness quarrelsomeness irascibleness See More
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affable

adjective

Did you know?

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

noun