affable
adjective
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
Example Sentences
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 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
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
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
affable
adjective
affable
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- easygoing
- unaffected
- mellow
- casual
- nonchalant
- informal
- familiar
- flexible
- breezy
- laid-back
- happy-go-lucky
- approachable
- warm
- devil-may-care
- carefree
- unperturbed
- unconcerned
- low-pressure
- unworried
- untroubled
- unflappable
- unfussy
- lackadaisical
- accessible
- imperturbable
- pliant
- genial
- homey
- companionable
- lenient
- soft
- pliable
- permissive
- amicable
- cordial
- warmhearted
- unshakable
- neighborly
- lax
- homy
- nerveless
- dégagé
- hearty
- comradely
- hail-fellow-well-met
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- uptight
- decorous
- high-strung
- rigid
- formal
- ceremonious
- anxious
- strict
- nervous
- worried
- bothered
- distressed
- jumpy
- tense
- jittery
- skittish
Synonyms & Similar Words
- gracious
- pleasant
- amiable
- nice
- sweet
- friendly
- genial
- good-natured
- cheerful
- agreeable
- good-tempered
- kind
- mellow
- attractive
- delightful
- polite
- clever
- well-disposed
- gentle
- thoughtful
- amicable
- benign
- cordial
- neighborly
- courteous
- cheery
- enjoyable
- civil
- sociable
- likable
- companionable
- obliging
- considerate
- conversable
- accommodating
- sunny
- likeable
- amenable
- glad
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unpleasant
- disagreeable
- surly
- ungracious
- unamiable
- irascible
- boorish
- ungenial
- cantankerous
- unkind
- discourteous
- irritable
- unsociable
- rude
- impolite
- inconsiderate
- grumpy
- petulant
- snappish
- grouchy
- unmannerly
- peevish
- uncivil
- choleric
- dyspeptic
- churlish
- ill-tempered
- ornery
- bilious
- touchy
- testy
- fussy
- contrary
- crabby
- querulous
- contentious
- ill-natured
- argumentative
- unattractive
- ill-mannered
- bearish
- ill-humored
- unappealing
- quick-tempered
- cranky
- sour
- vinegary
Synonyms & Similar Words
- gracious
- hospitable
- amiable
- friendly
- polite
- genial
- sociable
- outgoing
- thoughtful
- cordial
- kindly
- congenial
- kind
- obliging
- courteous
- benign
- convivial
- accommodating
- agreeable
- considerate
- neighborly
- cosmopolitan
- urbane
- approachable
- attentive
- benignant
- sophisticated
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inhospitable
- ungracious
- unsociable
- ungenial
- boorish
- gruff
- brusque
- churlish
- blunt
- abrupt
- sharp
- surly
- curt
- sullen
- unfriendly
- disagreeable
- antisocial
- snippy
- rude
- unkind
- discourteous
- impolite
- grumpy
- unmannerly
- uncivil
- crusty
- brusk
- cross
- crabby
- crabbed
- ill-mannered
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of affable are cordial, genial, gracious, and sociable. While all these words mean "markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse," affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals.
The words cordial and affable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cordial stresses warmth and heartiness.
The words genial and affable can be used in similar contexts, but genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality.
The synonyms gracious and affable are sometimes interchangeable, but gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration.
While the synonyms sociable and affable are close in meaning, sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others.