Affable
['æfəb(ə)l] or ['æfəbl]
Definition
(adj.) diffusing warmth and friendliness; 'an affable smile'; 'an amiable gathering'; 'cordial relations'; 'a cordial greeting'; 'a genial host' .
Checked by Carlton--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Easy to be spoken to or addressed; receiving others kindly and conversing with them in a free and friendly manner; courteous; sociable.
(a.) Gracious; mild; benign.
Checker: Stella
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. Conversable, communicative, free, unreserved, open, sociable, social.[2]. Courteous, complaisant, civil, polite, obliging, urbane, debonair, familiar, easy, gracious, mild, condescending, well-bred.
Checked by Gilbert
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Courteous, accessible, condescending, conversible, gracious, sociable, gentle,complaisant, urbane, polite, easy, approachable
ANT:Exclusive, discourteous, distant, inaccessible, unapproachable, inconversible,haughty, contemptuous, supercilious
Editor: Woodrow
Definition
adj. condescending: easy to be spoken to (used with to).—ns. Affabil′ity Af′fableness.—adv. Af′fably.
Typist: Ted
Examples
- So exceeding affable as she was! Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- Directing the pitching of the chair in an affable and easy manner, Mr. Bucket dismisses the Mercuries and locks the door again. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- She was always a very affable and free-spoken young lady, and very civil behaved. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- There's no denying that 'ere,' said Mr. Weller, joining in the conversation, with an affable smile. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Yes, ma'am, that he was indeed; and his son will be just like him--just as affable to the poor. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- In his affable unconsciousness, however, he took no heed. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Greatly relieved by Mr Merdle's affable offer of assistance, he caught at it directly, and heaped acknowledgments upon him. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- How very affable his Lordship is, he said; How very kind of his Lordship to say he would send his medical man! William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- And our Minister seems a most delightful and affable person, our new friend said. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- He was crisp, fresh, cheerful, affable, bland; but so surprisingly innocent. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- But there was nothing in the story, only that Becky was always affable, easy, and good-natured--and with men especially. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- She is so affable, so graceful, so beautiful, so elegant; has such a sweet voice and such a thrilling touch that Rosa can feel it yet! Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- No, governor,' returned Riderhood, in a cheerful, affable, and conversational manner, 'you did not tell me so. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Yes, it's a new plot, and pretty well worked up--language good, and so on, was Mr. Dashwood's affable reply. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Affable, unaffected, say- nothin'-to-nobody sorts o' fellers. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- But she's an affable lady. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Tom received the compliment with becoming modesty, and began to look as affable as was consistent, as John Bunyan says, with his doggish nature. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- I went up to her, and was received with an affable kiss and shake of the hand. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- He could be polite and affable, and he could be blunt and rough. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- A few of these took affable possession of the establishment. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Miss Lavinia was extremely affable to Mr Sampson on this special occasion, and took the opportunity of informing her sister why. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- The enigma then was explained: this affable and kind little widow was no great dame; but a dependant like myself. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Ever forgiving and ever affable. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Say, goddess, what ensued, when Raphael, The affable archangel . George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- His manner was very unpretending--too simple to be termed affable; rather timid than proud. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Your ladyship is very affable. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
Typist: Ted