Vocabulary Spotlight

Affable

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: Friendly, good-natured, and easy to talk to.

“His affable personality made him popular among his colleagues.”

Pronunciation

[af-uh-buhl]

Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words

Synonyms

Friendly
Amiable
Genial
Approachable
Sociable

Antonyms

Unfriendly
Aloof
Reserved
Cold
Unsociable

Related Words

Pleasant
Agreeable
Personable

Word Origin

“Affable” comes from the Latin “affabilis,” meaning “easy to speak to.” It entered English in the 15th century and denotes someone approachable and friendly.

Word Family

Adjective: Affable – Friendly, easy to talk to.

Adverb: Affably – In a friendly and pleasant manner.

Noun: Affability – The quality of being affable.

Mnemonics

Think “affable” as “laugh-able” — someone who’s easy to laugh with and talk to, friendly and approachable.

Industry-specific Usage

Customer Service

In customer service, an affable representative is highly valued for making customers feel welcome and comfortable.

Sales

Salespeople who are affable tend to build rapport easily with clients, enhancing customer relationships.

Healthcare

Healthcare professionals with an affable nature can help patients feel at ease during visits.

In Context

Affable people are approachable, friendly, and easy to converse with. This trait is beneficial in social and professional settings, helping to build strong connections and positive impressions.

Vocabulary Challenges

1. Which word is a synonym of “Affable”?

Aloof
Reserved
Friendly
Cold

“Friendly” is the correct answer, as affable describes someone approachable and good-natured.

2. Fill in the blank: His ______ manner helped him make new friends wherever he went.

aloof
cold
reserved
affable

“Affable” is correct, as it describes a warm and approachable personality.

3. In which context would “affable” be appropriate?

Describing a friendly customer service agent
Describing a cold and distant manager
Writing a technical manual
Analyzing data

“Describing a friendly customer service agent” is correct, as affable refers to friendliness and approachability.