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Affectionate vs Endearing - What's the difference?

affectionate | endearing |

As adjectives the difference between affectionate and endearing

is that affectionate is (of a person) having affection or warm regard; loving; fond while endearing is inspiring love or affection, in a childlike way.

As verbs the difference between affectionate and endearing

is that affectionate is (rare) to show affection to; to have affection for while endearing is .

As a noun endearing is

endearment.

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
    ----

    endearing

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Inspiring love or affection, in a childlike way.

    • Verb

    (head)

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • endearment
  • * (Jack London)
    • It was arms around, and perpetual endearings , and all that I had missed for a weary twelve-month.

    Anagrams

    * *