convivial

[ kuhn-viv-ee-uhl ]

adjective

1. friendly; agreeable:

   a convivial atmosphere.

   Synonyms: genial, companionable, sociable

2. fond of feasting, drinking, and merry company; jovial.
3. of or befitting a feast; festive.

convivial

/ kənˈvɪvɪəl /

adjective

1. sociable; jovial or festive

   a convivial atmosphere

Derived Forms

• conˈvivialist, noun
• conˈvivially, adverb
• conˌviviˈality, noun

Other Words From

• con·viv·i·al·ist noun
• con·viv·i·al·i·ty [k, uh, n-viv-ee-, al, -i-tee], noun
• con·viv·i·al·ly adverb
• non·con·viv·i·al adjective
• non·con·viv·i·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of convivial¹

First recorded in 1660–70; from Late Latin convīviālis “festal,” equivalent to Latin convīvi(um) “feast” ( convīv(ere) “to live together, dine together” ( con- con- + vīvere “to live”) + -ium -ium ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of convivial¹

C17: from Late Latin convīviālis pertaining to a feast, from Latin convīvium, a living together, banquet, from vīvere to live

Example Sentences

“You realize he didn’t speak out loud during that day. Human beings are meant to be convivial and social — the default setting for a lot of us is that we need other people around. Ted’s character Charles is a guy who’s still perfectly vibrant, very sharp, alive in the world, but his life has just gotten very small. And the question is — for him and for the audience — can he go through something that makes him see the value in living a bigger life?”

From Los Angeles Times

Thus began Anolik’s trip back into Babitz’s past via a large cache of correspondence that revealed, among other things, her sometimes convivial, often fraught relationship with Joan Didion when the writer, who was nine years older, was the queen bee of L.A.’s lit scene and a key figure in Babitz’s creative life.

From Los Angeles Times

Consider it a soothing symbol of a less digital, pre-pandemic world centered on convivial small-town life.

From Los Angeles Times

Roman's energy, which comes across equally in both written and video form, is loose, convivial, casual — the perfect pal to have in the kitchen to help calmly, kindly walk you through a recipe, no matter if immensely simple or outrageously challenging.

From Salon

It appears they both accomplished what they set out to do when it comes to issues and the debate watchers were happy to see a convivial debate.

From Salon

Related Words

• cheerful
• clubby
• festive
• genial
• hearty
• jolly
• jovial
• lively
• pleasant
• sociable