What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Affectionate vs Emotional - What's the difference?

affectionate | emotional |

As adjectives the difference between affectionate and emotional

is that affectionate is (of a person) having affection or warm regard; loving; fond while emotional is of or relating to the emotions.

As a verb affectionate

is (rare) to show affection to; to have affection for.

affectionate

English

Etymology 1

Partly from (etyl) affectionatus, partly from affection + .

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (of a person) Having affection or warm regard; loving; fond.
    • She eulogised her always warm and affectionate brother.
  • Characterised by or proceeding from affection; indicating love; tender.
    • the affectionate''' care of a parent; an '''affectionate''' countenance; an '''affectionate''' message; ' affectionate language
  • * 1900 , , The House Behind the Cedars , Chapter I,
    • Warwick left the undertaker's shop and retraced his steps until he had passed the lawyer's office, toward which he threw an affectionate glance.
    Synonyms
    * tender; lovesome; attached; loving; devoted; warm; fond; earnest; ardent. * See also
    Derived terms
    * affectionately
    Related terms
    * affect * affectation * affecter * affective * affection

    Etymology 2

    Either from the adjective, or from affection + (modelled on Middle French affectionner).

    Verb

    (affectionat)
  • (rare) To show affection to; to have affection for.
  • (obsolete, reflexive) To emotionally attach (oneself) to.
  • *, Folio Society, 2006, p.21:
    • Plutarch saith fitly of those who affectionate themselves to Monkies and little Dogges, that.
  • * 1721 , John Rushworth, Historical Collections Of Private Passages of State, etc.: 1618—1629 , Volume 1, page 222,
    • And fir?t, his Maje?ty would have you to under?tand, That there was never any King more loving to his People, or better affectionated to the right u?e of Parliaments, than his Maje?ty hath approved him?elf to be,.
  • * 1838 February 1, (Charles Dickens), To Catherine Dickens'', 2012, Jenny Hartley (editor), ''The Selected Letters of Charles Dickens , page 41,
    • Ever my dear Kate your affectionated husband
    CHARLES DICKENS
    ----

    emotional

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of or relating to the emotions.
    • emotional crisis
  • Characterised by emotion.
  • Determined by emotion rather than reason.
    • emotional decision
  • Appealing to or arousing emotion.
    • emotional speech
  • Easily affected by emotion.
    • She’s an emotional person.
  • Readily displaying emotion.
    • emotional greeting

    Synonyms

    * demonstrative * effusive * sentimental * temperamental

    Derived terms

    * emotional cripple * emotionalise (also emotionalize) * emotionalism * emotionally * * *