What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
affectuous
Example
She was affectuous towards her children, always hugging and kissing them. [affectuous: adjective]
Example
He spoke with an affectuous tone, conveying his deep love for his partner. [affectuous: adverb]
affectionate
Example
The cat was very affectionate towards its owner, always rubbing against their leg. [affectionate: adjective]
Example
She spoke to him in an affectionate tone, telling him how much she loved him. [affectionate: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Affectionate is a more commonly used word than affectuous in everyday language. Affectionate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while affectuous is less common and may be considered outdated or archaic in some contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between affectuous and affectionate?
Affectuous is a less common word and may be considered more formal or literary than affectionate. While both words can be used in informal and formal contexts, affectuous may be more appropriate in formal writing or speech.