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affable

adjective
af·​fa·​ble | \ ˈa-fə-bəl How to pronounce affable (audio) \

Definition of affable

1 : being pleasant and at ease in talking to others an affable host
2 : characterized by ease and friendliness an affable manner
Other Words from affable Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym The Gender of an affable Personality? Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about affable

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Other Words from affable

affability \ ˌa-​fə-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce affability (audio) \ noun
affably \ -​blē How to pronounce affably (audio) \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for affable

gracious, cordial, affable, genial, sociable mean markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse. gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration. the gracious award winner thanked her colleagues cordial stresses warmth and heartiness. our host was cordial as he greeted us affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals. though wealthy, she was affable to all genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality. a genial companion with a ready quip sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others. sociable people who enjoy entertaining

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.

Did You Know?

Affable is one of several English words that evolved from the Latin verb fari, which means "to speak." "Affable" comes from the Latin affabilis, which comes from the "fari" relative "affari" ("to speak to"), plus -abilis, meaning "able." Some other "fari" derivatives are "infant," "fable," and "fate." "Infant" comes from the Latin infans, which means "incapable of speech" and combines in- and fans, the present participle of "fari." "Fable" comes from the Latin fabula, a "fari" offspring that means "conversation." "Fate" comes from the Latin word fatum, meaning "what has been spoken and deriving from "fatus," a past participle of "fari."

Examples of affable in a Sentence

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
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Recent Examples on the Web

 For many people, the affable and outgoing David Koch was the public face of the brothers' political activity. — Bill Hewitt, Anchorage Daily News, "David Koch, billionaire industrialist who influenced conservative politics, dies at 79," 23 Aug. 2019 At the house, the landlord, an affable 79-year-old man named Abdur-Rahim Dib Dudar, gave her a hurried walk-through. — Brian Goldstone, The New Republic, "The New American Homeless," 21 Aug. 2019 Old friends from Romulus, a rural community in Seneca County, remember Irby’s dimpled smile and affable nature. — Rachel Swan, SFChronicle.com, "25-year-old man killed at Gilroy Garlic Festival remembered as an athlete with a big heart," 29 July 2019 Swinney is seen by many as college football's affable pal, the 180-degree opposite to the stern, often prickly Alabama coach Nick Saban. — chicagotribune.com, "College football’s friendly face: Tigers’ Dabo Swinney out front," 25 Aug. 2019 Swinney is seen by many as college football's affable pal, the 180-degree opposite to the stern, often prickly Alabama coach Nick Saban. — Pete Iacobelli, courant.com, "College football’s friendly face: Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is out front," 25 Aug. 2019 So bring on the affable backup catcher, the willing utilityman, hand them the ball and hope for the best. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, "Garbage time, all the time: MLB sees historic spike in position players pitching," 19 Aug. 2019 For those unfamiliar with this particular dream team, the first person on that list is National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow, an affable former CNBC personality. — Catherine Rampell, The Denver Post, "Rampell: Trump has a dream team for mismanaging a recession," 18 Aug. 2019 Thomas also notes that Reeves has a unique ability to embody two very different ends of the star spectrum — the affable nice guy and the aloof cool guy. — Aja Romano, Vox, "Keanu Reeves, explained," 16 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'affable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of affable

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for affable

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

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More Definitions for affable

affable

adjective
How to pronounce affable (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of affable

formal : friendly and easy to talk to

See the full definition for affable in the English Language Learners Dictionary

affable

adjective
af·​fa·​ble | \ ˈa-fə-bəl How to pronounce affable (audio) \

Kids Definition of affable

: friendly and easy to talk to an affable talk show host

Other Words from affable

affably \ -​blē \ adverb

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