congenial

[ kuhn-jeen-yuhl ]

adjective

1. agreeable, suitable, or pleasing in nature or character:

   congenial surroundings.

   Synonyms: united, sympathetic, kindred, harmonious, complaisant, pleasing, pleasant, favorable, enjoyable, agreeable

   Antonyms: disagreeable

2. suited or adapted in spirit, feeling, temper, etc.; compatible:

   a congenial couple.

congenial

/ kənˈdʒiːnjəl; -nɪəl; kənˌdʒiːnɪˈælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. friendly, pleasant, or agreeable

   a congenial atmosphere to work in

2. having a similar disposition, tastes, etc; compatible; sympathetic

Derived Forms

• congeniality, noun
• conˈgenially, adverb

Other Words From

• con·ge·ni·al·i·ty [k, uh, n-jee-nee-, al, -i-tee], con·gen·ial·ness noun
• con·gen·ial·ly adverb
• pre·con·gen·ial adjective
• qua·si-con·gen·ial adjective
• qua·si-con·gen·ial·ly adverb
• un·con·gen·ial adjective
• un·con·gen·ial·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of congenial¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin con- con- + geni(us) genius + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of congenial¹

C17: from con- (same) + genial ¹

Related Words

• affable
• agreeable
• convivial
• cordial
• favorable
• genial
• gracious
• harmonious
• jovial
• mellow
• pleasant
• pleasing
• sociable
• sympathetic