affable
pronunciation
How to pronounce affable in British English:
UK [ˈæfəbl]
How to pronounce affable in American English:
US [ˈæfəbl]
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- Adjective:
- diffusing warmth and friendliness
Word Origin
- affable
- affable: [16] The Latin original of affable, affābilis, meant ‘easy to speak to’. It was formed from the verb āffārī ‘speak to’, which in turn was derived from the prefix ad- ‘to’ and fārī ‘speak’ (the source of fable, fame, and fate). It reached English via Old French affable.=> fable, fame, fate
- affable (adj.)
- late 15c., from Old French afable (14c.), from Latin affabilis "approachable, courteous, kind, friendly," literally "who can be (easily) spoken to," from affari "to speak to," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + fari "to speak," from PIE root *bha- (2) "to speak, tell, say" (see fame (n.)). Related: Affably.
Example
- 1. But the affable company founder and ceo is not interested in borrowing more money or selling stakes to investors .
- 2. His nemesis is an affable personal trainer , who is initiating him into the cult of the gym .
- 3. The affable mr. zuma , the son of a domestic worker , became president last year by winning the top post at the anc .
- 4. He might be the most affable doorman in new york .
- 5. The affable mr tsvangirai has borne all the sleights and humiliations with astonishing calm .