amiable

[ ey-mee-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. having or showing pleasant, good-natured personal qualities; affable:

   an amiable disposition.

   Synonyms: gracious

   Antonyms: rude

2. friendly; sociable:

   an amiable greeting; an amiable gathering.

   Synonyms: amicable

   Antonyms: hostile, unfriendly

3. agreeable; willing to accept the wishes, decisions, or suggestions of another or others.
4. Obsolete. lovable or lovely.

amiable

/ ˈeɪmɪəbəl /

adjective

1. having or displaying a pleasant or agreeable nature; friendly

Derived Forms

• ˌamiaˈbility, noun
• ˈamiably, adverb

Other Words From

• ami·a·bili·ty ami·a·ble·ness noun
• ami·a·bly adverb
• quasi-ami·a·ble adjective
• quasi-ami·a·bly adverb
• un·ami·a·ble adjective
• un·ami·a·ble·ness noun
• un·ami·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of amiable¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin amīcābilis amicable

Word History and Origins

Origin of amiable¹

C14: from Old French, from Late Latin amīcābilis amicable

Example Sentences

Thune, an amiable 63-year-old more comfortable talking about the Senate calendar than he is castigating his opposition as demonically possessed, gave his best shot at an opening partisan broadside in a press conference after the Senate GOP conclave.

From Slate

“I’m going to be honest with you,” she says, with amiable frankness.

From Los Angeles Times

Adventurous and brave, amiable and with good humor, Washington Donaldson won hearts with his failures as well as his successes.

From Salon

Knud Adams, who directed the Roundabout Theatre Company’s world premiere of “Primary Trust,” stages the play with an amiable lightness that exemplifies Cranberry’s motto: “Welcome Friend, You’re Right on Time!”

From Los Angeles Times

During the Iran-Contra scandal, of which Reagan insisted he didn’t recall anything, Phil Hartman played him as an amiable dunce when Jimmy Stewart is visiting, but behind closed doors he’s orchestrating the whole scam: computing bribes in his head, speaking Farsi.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affable
• amicable
• charming
• cheerful
• cordial
• delightful
• engaging
• friendly
• genial
• good-humored
• good-natured
• gracious
• lovable
• mellow
• pleasant
• sociable