Words / C2

AF-uh-bl/ˈæfəbl/

Affable means friendly, pleasant, and easy to talk to: an affable host, affable with strangers. Friendly (already in the dictionary) is everyday; churlish (already in the dictionary) is rude when kindness was due — the opposite flavour. Obsequious and officious (already in the dictionary) are fawning and petty-bossy, not the same as ease. A pleasant chair still dates the embargo.

Meaning

Friendly, pleasant, and easy to talk to.

Examples

• “An affable chair still has to date the embargo.”
• “Friendly is everyday (already in A1). Churlish is rude when kindness was due (already in C2) — the contrast. Obsequious is fawning (already in C2). Officious is petty-bossy (already in C2). Warmth in the room can be exact. Warmth instead of a yes-or-no on circulation is a hole. Name the rule; manner is optional after that.”

Good to know

Friendly and easy to talk to. Everyday: friendly (already in this dictionary). Contrast: churlish (rude — already in C2); obsequious (fawning — already in C2). Warmth ≠ an embargo date.

Near in meaning

friendly, amiable, genial, cordial

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