Vocabulary in context
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Affable
Friendly and easy to talk to; approachable, kind, and polite.
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Imagine This
Picture a welcoming host at a neighborhood gathering who greets you with a warm smile, remembers your name, and invites you to share a story or ask questions. Their relaxed, friendly demeanor puts everyone at ease from the moment they arrive.
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Sounds Like
AF-uh-buhl
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Looks Like
a fable
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Remember This
Affable means easy to talk to. The word comes from Latin affābilis, meaning 'able to be spoken to,' reflecting approachability.
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Other Forms
affablyadverb
affabilitynoun
affablenessnoun
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Note
Affable describes a consistently friendly and approachable demeanor, particularly in conversation. It contrasts with 'amiable' mainly in nuance: affable emphasizes sociable ease in talking to others, while amiable emphasizes a generally pleasant, likable character. Do not confuse with 'affectionate' or 'affable' with 'unaffable' (rare; opposite of affable is typically 'unfriendly' or 'unapproachable').
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The host's affable manner put all the guests at ease.
- Despite the tense meeting, the affable professor kept the discussion respectful and constructive.
Synonyms
friendlygenialamiablecordialapproachablesociable
Antonyms
unfriendlyaloofunapproachablehostile
Etymology
From Latin affābilis meaning 'able to be spoken to,' formed from ad- 'toward' + fari 'to speak,' with assimilation to aff- before the f sound.
Mnemonic
AFFABLE: A FABLE-FRIENDLY person. Think of a storyteller who is so easy to talk to that you’d happily listen to a fable while chatting away.
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Discriminate
verbTo recognize or identify differences between things; to distinguish. In a negative sense, to treat someone unfavorably because of prejudice or bias.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Entrench
verbTo establish or fortify a position, belief, or habit so that it becomes difficult to change; to surround or secure a position by digging trenches.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Amiable
adjectiveFriendly, pleasant, and easy to get along with; showing a good-natured and agreeable manner.
Genial
adjectiveSociable, hospitable, and friendly; cheerful and easy to talk to.
Cordial
adjectiveSincere and warm
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
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