affectionately
gb/əfˈɛkʃənɪtli/ us/əfˈɛkʃənɪtli/
B2
English
gyengéden, szeretettel, becézve
B2
1
gyengéden
B1
szeretettel
B1
Usage pattern:
[do something] affectionately; [speak/look] affectionately at [someone]
She kissed her son affectionately on the forehead before he left.
Mielőtt elment, gyengéden homlokon csókolta a fiát.
He put an arm around her affectionately and pulled her close.
Gyengéden átkarolta, és magához húzta.
The dog leaned into her hand as she stroked it affectionately.
Learner examples
He smiled affectionately at her.
Szeretettel mosolygott rá.
She hugged him affectionately.
Gyengéden megölelte.
Common mistake:
Don’t use it to mean 'carefully' or 'politely'; it is about showing fondness.
Meaning
in a loving, tender way
Collocations
smile affectionately
|kiss affectionately
|hug affectionately
|hold [someone] affectionately
|stroke [someone/something] affectionately
|pat [someone] affectionately
|look at [someone] affectionately
|speak affectionately
|gaze affectionately
|call [someone] affectionately
Synonyms
lovingly (Most direct synonym; emphasizes love.)
|
tenderly (Adds a sense of gentleness and care.)
|
warmly (Can be slightly less intimate; focuses on warmth.)
|
fondly (Often suggests gentle liking or nostalgia.)
Antonyms
coldly (Shows lack of warmth or affection.)
|
harshly (Opposite in tone; rough or unkind.)
|
indifferently (Shows no particular feeling or care.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|daily_life
Definition
In a way that shows love.
In a way that shows love, tenderness, or strong fondness for someone or something.
B2
2
szeretettel
B1
Usage pattern:
[speak/tease/greet] affectionately (about [someone])
The team spoke affectionately about their former coach.
A csapat szeretettel beszélt a korábbi edzőjéről.
She teased him affectionately about his terrible sense of direction.
Jóindulatúan ugratta a borzalmas tájékozódási érzéke miatt.
Neighbours greeted him affectionately whenever he walked past.
Learner examples
They talked affectionately about their teacher.
Szeretettel beszéltek a tanárukról.
Common mistake:
In English it can describe friendly teasing, but it still implies warmth, not insult.
Meaning
in a warm, friendly way
Collocations
tease affectionately
|greet [someone] affectionately
|speak affectionately of [someone]
|talk affectionately about [someone]
|refer affectionately to [someone]
|remember [someone] affectionately
|joke affectionately
|scold affectionately
|laugh affectionately
|describe [someone] affectionately
Synonyms
warmly (Common for friendly situations; less intimate than 'lovingly'.)
|
fondly (Often suggests liking and positive feeling.)
Antonyms
rudely (Opposite in social tone; impolite or unfriendly.)
|
dismissively (Treats someone as unimportant rather than valued.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|communication
Definition
In a friendly, warm way.
In a way that shows warmth and friendly fondness, not necessarily romantic or intimate.
C1
3
szeretettel
B1
becézve
B2
Usage pattern:
affectionately known/called/referred to as [name]
The old theatre is affectionately known as 'the Grand' by locals.
A régi színházat a helyiek szeretettel csak „a Grand”-nak hívják.
His colleagues affectionately called him 'Doc' because he always had advice.
A kollégái becézve „Dokinak” hívták, mert mindig volt tanácsa.
The city bus service was affectionately referred to as 'the green line'.
Learner examples
He is affectionately known as Sam.
Szeretettel csak Samnek hívják.
Common mistake:
This use usually comes before 'known as/called', not after the nickname.
Meaning
used with fond nicknames
Collocations
affectionately known as
|affectionately called
|affectionately referred to as
|affectionately dubbed
|affectionately nicknamed
|affectionately labelled
|affectionately termed
|affectionately named
|affectionately described as
Synonyms
fondly (Very common in the same structure ('fondly known as').)
Antonyms
derisively (Indicates a name is used to mock rather than show fondness.)
|
contemptuously (Stronger negative attitude toward the name or label.)
Themes
communication
|names
|social
Definition
Used to say a nickname is loving or friendly.
Used to show that a name or label is used with fondness, especially in phrases like 'affectionately known as' or 'affectionately called'.
Grammar
Dictionary form
affectionately
IPA
GB/əfˈɛkʃənɪtli/
US/əfˈɛkʃənɪtli/
Syllables & stress
af - fec - tion - ately (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fec)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: affectionately
- Plural: affectionatelies
Word family
Forms
affectionatelies
noun
Core family
affection
noun B1
affectionate
adjective B1
Negative and opposite forms
unaffectionate
adjective
Expressions
affectionately called [name]
1/əfˈɛkʃənɪtli kˈɔld nˈeɪm/
fixed phrase
warmly given a nickname
People lovingly call it this.
Examples
- She’s affectionately called 'Auntie May' by all the neighbourhood kids.
- The battered old truck was affectionately called 'Blue'.
- He was affectionately called 'Professor' even though he wasn’t one.
Learner examples
- My sister is affectionately called Mimi.
affectionately dubbed [name]
1/əfˈɛkʃənɪtli dˈʌbd nˈeɪm/
fixed phrase
given a fond informal title
People warmly gave it this nickname.
Examples
- The new intern was affectionately dubbed 'Sunshine' because she was always cheerful.
- The battered sofa was affectionately dubbed 'the throne' by the students.
- He was affectionately dubbed 'Captain' by his teammates.
affectionately known as [name]
1/əfˈɛkʃənɪtli nˈoʊn ˈæz nˈeɪm/
fixed phrase
fondly called by a name
People warmly call it by this name.
Examples
- The seaside town is affectionately known as 'Sunny Bay'.
- Her grandparents are affectionately known as Nana and Pop.
- The little café is affectionately known as 'the Corner Spot'.
Learner examples
- Our teacher is affectionately known as Mr. Lee.
affectionately referred to as [name]
1/əfˈɛkʃənɪtli ɹɪfˈɚd tə ˈæz nˈeɪm/
fixed phrase
formal
warmly mentioned by a name
People warmly refer to it with this name.
Examples
- The neighbourhood park is affectionately referred to as 'the Commons'.
- In the family, the youngest child is affectionately referred to as 'the baby'.
- The project was affectionately referred to as 'Operation Fix-It' during meetings.
Learner examples
- Our cat is affectionately referred to as Tiger.