good-natured
adjective
Synonyms
- affable
- agreeable
- amiable
- genial
- good-tempered
- gracious
- mellow
- nice
- pleasant
- sweet
- well-disposed
Word History
1582, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
good-natured
adjective
good-natured
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- gracious
- pleasant
- amiable
- nice
- affable
- sweet
- friendly
- good-tempered
- genial
- cheerful
- kind
- agreeable
- delightful
- clever
- polite
- mellow
- gentle
- well-disposed
- thoughtful
- attractive
- neighborly
- benign
- amicable
- cordial
- civil
- cheery
- courteous
- companionable
- enjoyable
- sociable
- considerate
- obliging
- likable
- conversable
- sunny
- accommodating
- likeable
- amenable
- glad
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unpleasant
- disagreeable
- ungracious
- surly
- unamiable
- unkind
- boorish
- ungenial
- irascible
- rude
- discourteous
- cantankerous
- petulant
- irritable
- inconsiderate
- snappish
- grumpy
- peevish
- unsociable
- impolite
- uncivil
- grouchy
- ill-tempered
- unmannerly
- churlish
- ill-natured
- dyspeptic
- choleric
- bilious
- touchy
- ornery
- testy
- querulous
- crabby
- contentious
- fussy
- argumentative
- contrary
- ill-mannered
- ill-humored
- bearish
- unattractive
- quick-tempered
- cranky
- sour
- unappealing
- vinegary
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of good-natured are amiable, complaisant, and obliging. While all these words mean "having the desire or disposition to please," good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon.
The synonyms amiable and good-natured are sometimes interchangeable, but amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with.
The meanings of complaisant and good-natured largely overlap; however, complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness.
The words obliging and good-natured can be used in similar contexts, but obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful.