genial
1 of 2adjective (1)
John Milton genial
2 of 2adjective (2)
Did you know?
Genial derives from the Latin adjective genialis, meaning "connected with marriage." When genial was first adopted into English in the mid-16th century, it meant "of or relating to marriage," a sense that is now obsolete. Genialis was formed in Latin by combining the -alis suffix (meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by") with genius, meaning "a person's disposition or inclination." As you may have guessed, Latin genius is the ancestor of the English word genius, meaning "extraordinary intellectual power"—so it's logical enough that genial eventually developed a sense (possibly influenced by the German word genial) of "marked by very high intelligence."
Synonyms
Adjective (1)
- affable
- agreeable
- amiable
- good-natured
- good-tempered
- gracious
- mellow
- nice
- pleasant
- sweet
- well-disposed
Word History
Adjective (1)
Latin genialis, from genius
Adjective (2)
Greek geneion chin, from genys jaw — more at chin
Adjective (1)
circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Adjective (2)
1828, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
genial
adjective
Medical Definition
genial
adjective
genial
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- gracious
- pleasant
- amiable
- nice
- affable
- sweet
- good-natured
- friendly
- cheerful
- kind
- agreeable
- mellow
- good-tempered
- delightful
- polite
- gentle
- clever
- well-disposed
- attractive
- cordial
- thoughtful
- neighborly
- benign
- civil
- amicable
- cheery
- courteous
- companionable
- sociable
- enjoyable
- obliging
- sunny
- conversable
- likable
- considerate
- accommodating
- amenable
- likeable
- glad
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disagreeable
- unpleasant
- ungenial
- unamiable
- ungracious
- surly
- boorish
- irascible
- unkind
- discourteous
- unsociable
- dyspeptic
- rude
- cantankerous
- unmannerly
- peevish
- irritable
- uncivil
- bilious
- choleric
- testy
- impolite
- grouchy
- snappish
- petulant
- churlish
- grumpy
- inconsiderate
- touchy
- ill-natured
- ill-tempered
- fussy
- contrary
- ornery
- crabby
- querulous
- argumentative
- contentious
- ill-humored
- ill-mannered
- bearish
- unattractive
- sour
- unappealing
- cranky
- quick-tempered
- vinegary
Synonyms & Similar Words
- warm
- friendly
- gracious
- cordial
- collegial
- warmhearted
- neighborly
- companionable
- merry
- affectionate
- chummy
- amicable
- sweet
- comradely
- hearty
- nice
- loving
- hail-fellow-well-met
- affable
- matey
- jovial
- jolly
- convivial
- palsy
- social
- hospitable
- palsy-walsy
- bonhomous
- fraternal
- good-natured
- folksy
- approachable
- hail-fellow
- outgoing
- gregarious
- familiar
- agreeable
- sociable
- buddy-buddy
- good-tempered
- close
- clubby
- devoted
- adoring
- extroverted
- fond
- intimate
- brotherly
- sisterly
- extraverted
- tenderhearted
- tender
- lovesome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hostile
- antagonistic
- unfriendly
- cold
- frosty
- icy
- cool
- glacial
- chilly
- alienated
- pugnacious
- frigid
- wintry
- unsociable
- unsocial
- truculent
- belligerent
- aggressive
- bellicose
- combative
- estranged
- wintery
- quarrelsome
- disputatious
- argumentative
- inhospitable
- contentious
- scrappy
- inimical
- cold-blooded
Synonyms & Similar Words
- gracious
- affable
- hospitable
- amiable
- cordial
- polite
- congenial
- sociable
- friendly
- outgoing
- thoughtful
- kindly
- kind
- convivial
- benign
- obliging
- courteous
- neighborly
- agreeable
- cosmopolitan
- accommodating
- urbane
- benignant
- considerate
- attentive
- approachable
- sophisticated
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ungenial
- ungracious
- inhospitable
- unsociable
- boorish
- gruff
- brusque
- churlish
- sharp
- blunt
- curt
- abrupt
- sullen
- disagreeable
- unfriendly
- surly
- antisocial
- unkind
- rude
- discourteous
- snippy
- unmannerly
- uncivil
- impolite
- brusk
- crusty
- grumpy
- cross
- crabbed
- crabby
- ill-mannered
Synonyms & Similar Words
- temperate
- gentle
- mild
- clement
- equable
- sunny
- moderate
- pleasant
- soft
- delightful
- balmy
- placid
- peaceful
- calm
- tranquil
- sunshiny
- cloudless
- fair
- clear
- halcyon
- rainless
- fine
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- severe
- harsh
- intemperate
- breezy
- inclement
- stormy
- rough
- blustery
- gusty
- windy
- blustering
- gloomy
- rainy
- gray
- misty
- bleak
- grey
- dismal
- cloudy
- overcast
- bitter
- foggy
- raw
- hazy
- squally
- dirty
- foul
- showery
- nasty
- sunless
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of genial are affable, cordial, gracious, and sociable. While all these words mean "markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse," genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality.
The words affable and genial can be used in similar contexts, but affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals.
The meanings of cordial and genial largely overlap; however, cordial stresses warmth and heartiness.
While the synonyms gracious and genial are close in meaning, gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration.
The synonyms sociable and genial are sometimes interchangeable, but sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others.