affection

/əˈfɛkʃən/
noun
  1. A gentle feeling of liking, caring for, or loving someone or something.
    • She showed her affection for her grandmother by making her breakfast every morning.
    • He spoke about his hometown with great affection in his voice.
    • The dog wagged its tail with affection when its owner came home.
  2. A physical expression of love or care, such as a hug or kiss.
    • They exchanged small gestures of affection, like holding hands during the walk.
    • The child craved affection and often reached out for a hug.
    • Pets need affection from their owners to feel happy and secure.
What does "affection" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean