Affable
/ˈæfəbl/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Affable describes a person who is kind and easy to speak with. This word shows that someone is polite and makes others feel comfortable when talking with them. It is often used to describe people who are warm and welcoming.
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See It in Action
Friendly and easy to talk to
- •She is very affable and always makes guests feel at home.
- •The teacher was affable, so students felt comfortable asking questions.
- •His affable nature helped him make many friends quickly.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "affable" like "friendly," but with a calm and polite way of being nice, not just happy or casual
- ✓Picture a person smiling gently and listening carefully when you speak to them
- ✓It's the feeling you get when someone makes you feel relaxed and welcome in a new place
- ✓Sounds like "a-FABLE" → imagine a nice story (fable) told by a kind person who wants to share and connect
- ✓Think of a friendly shopkeeper who greets everyone with a warm smile and good words
- ✓NOT like "shy" (quiet and not open), "affable" means open and easy to talk to
- ✓NOT like "loud" or "pushy"—affable people are gentle and polite, not forceful
- ✓NOT like "formal" (strict and serious), affable is warm but still polite
Try Other Words
- •Friendly: kind and pleasant (Use when you want a simple word for nice behavior)
- •Pleasant: nice and enjoyable (Use when focusing on the feeling a person gives)
- •Approachable: easy to talk to (Use when emphasizing that someone is not difficult to speak with)
- •Warm: showing kindness and care (Use when you want to express emotional friendliness)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "af-" (a form of "ad-" meaning toward) + "fable" (from Latin "fari" meaning to speak) → meaning someone who speaks toward or to others kindly
- •Etymology: From Latin "affabilis," meaning "easy to speak to"
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1500s to describe people who are easy and pleasant in conversation
- •Modern usage: Describes people who are polite, kind, and make conversation easy and comfortable
Reflect & Connect
•How does being affable help in making new friends or meeting new people?
•Can someone be affable but still serious? How would that look?
Fill in the blanks
1.When meeting new people, being affable helps ___ ___ ___ a good first impression.
2.An affable person usually speaks in a ___ and polite way that makes others feel ___.
3.Unlike a shy or quiet person, an affable individual is ___ to talk with and often ___ others.
4.You might say someone shrugged off the tension because they stayed affable and ___ the conversation.
5.People often describe their favorite teacher as affable because they are ___ and easy to ___.
6.Being affable means you are ___ to listen and respond with kindness, not with ___ or anger.
7.In a difficult situation, staying affable can help ___ ___ ___ problems and keep peace.