affable

Summary

---

Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: “Affable”

Episode Date: May 17, 2026
Host: Peter Sokolowski
Podcast: Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day

---

Overview

This episode explores the meaning, usage, and linguistic nuances of the adjective “affable.” Host Peter Sokolowski delves into its definition, etymology, historical and contemporary usage patterns, and even touches on some surprising statistics from a newspaper survey. Listeners are invited to consider both the word’s literal meaning and the subtle undercurrents of language evolution reflected in how it’s used today.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Definition & Spelling of “Affable” (00:43 - 00:55)

  • Spelled A F F A B L E.
  • Means “friendly and easy to talk to.”
  • Can describe people or personalities characterized by ease and friendliness.

• Usage in Context (00:56 - 01:15)

  • Example sentence drawn from The Last Sweet Bite: Stories and Recipes of Culinary Heritage Lost and Found by Michael Shaik Ray Naranjo:

    “Shaik Ray Naranjo is a Native American chef from Santa Clara Pueblo in northern New Mexico. He’s a big, affable man with a wide, warm smile built more for a football field than his food truck, Manco.”

  • Illustrates the typical use of “affable” to evoke warmth and approachability.

• Etymology & Gendered Usage Trends (01:16 - 02:05)

  • “Affable” comes from the Latin affari, meaning “to speak to or address.”
  • The host points out that the word’s etymology does not suggest it should apply more to men than women, yet:

    “English speaking people behave as though it is.”

  • Historically (16th-19th centuries), it frequently described women as well.
  • Modern surveys, however, show a sharp skew toward describing men.

• Empirical Usage Data (02:06 - 02:32)

  • Cites a survey of a single newspaper’s use of “affable” over 12 months:
    • Used 102 times
    • Described women in 4 instances
    • Described men in 85 instances
    • Other uses: a conga line, an email, musical compositions by Robert Ward, “cats in general,” and one male dog.

• Language Evolution & Usage Advice (02:33 - 02:46)

  • Subtle, deep currents shape language patterns.
  • Encourages listeners to use “affable” freely, regardless of gender.

    “You should feel free to apply it in whatever way seems suitable. Think of this more as a reminder that the currents of our language are deep and occasionally mysterious, gently nudging us along paths we don’t even see.”

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:19] Peter Sokolowski:

  “There is nothing in the meaning of the word affable… or in its etymology… to suggest it's more properly applied to men than to women. But English speaking people behave as though it is.”

• [02:10] Peter Sokolowski:

  “We once surveyed all the cases in which a single newspaper used affable… over a 12 month period, the word occurred in 102 articles and in four occurrences it described women, while in 85 occurrences it described men.”

• [02:35] Peter Sokolowski:

  “None of this need affect your use of the term. You should feel free to apply it in whatever way seems suitable.”

• [02:43] Peter Sokolowski:

  “Think of this more as a reminder that the currents of our language are deep and occasionally mysterious, gently nudging us along paths we don't even see.”

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:43 – Introduction and definition of “affable”
• 00:56 – Example sentence and application
• 01:16 – Etymology and commentary on gender usage
• 02:06 – Newspaper usage statistics
• 02:33 – Language insights and usage encouragement

---

Recap

This episode not only defines “affable” but contextualizes it in social and linguistic currents, leaving listeners with an appreciation for the word’s expressive warmth—and an invitation to use it more expansively, no matter whom it describes.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign.

[B]

It's Merriam Webster's Word of the Day for May 17th.

[C]

Insurance isn't one size fits all. That's why customers have enjoyed Progressive's name your price tool for years now. With the name your price tool, you tell them what you want to pay, and they'll show you options that fit your budget. So whether you're picking out your first policy or just looking for something that works better for you and your family, you're they make it easy to see your options. Visit progressive.com find a rate that works for you with the name your price tool Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and Coverage Match limited By state law,

[B]

today's word is affable. Spelled A F, F, A B, L, E, affable is an adjective. It describes someone who is friendly and easy to talk to. It can also describe something such as someone's personality that is characterized by ease and friendliness. Here's the word used in a sentence from the Last Sweet Bite Stories and Recipes of Culinary heritage Lost and Found by Michael Shaik Ray Naranjo is a Native American chef from Santa Clara Pueblo in northern New Mexico. He's a big, affable man with a wide, warm smile built more for a football field than his food truck, manco. There is nothing in the meaning of the word affable. It means friendly and easy to talk to, nor in its etymology. It traces back to the Latin verb aphare, meaning to speak to or address to suggest it's more properly applied to men than to women. But English speaking people behave as though it is. This was not always true. In the 16th through the 19th centuries, it was not uncommon to see the word describing women. But no more. We once surveyed all the cases in which a single newspaper used affable. Over a 12 month period, the word occurred in 102 articles and in four occurrences it described women, while in 85 occurrences it described men. In the other cases, affable was used to describe a conga line, email, musical compositions by Robert Ward, cats in general, and one male dog. None of this need affect your use of the term. You should feel free to apply it in whatever way seems suitable. Think of this more as a reminder that the currents of our language are deep and occasionally mysterious, gently nudging us along paths we don't even see with your word of the day. I'm Peter Sokolowski.

[A]

Visit merriamwebster.com today for definitions, wordplay and trending word lookups.