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

Example Sentences

This year he launched a segment called “Common Ground,” where political leaders from the right and left appear together to discuss issues in a congenial manner.

From Los Angeles Times

Unlike at the presidential debate, in which the commentary on immigration devolved into sound bites and verbal jabs, Walz and Vance presented their respective campaign’s message with a congenial tone.

From Los Angeles Times

Einstein, Kubrick — Eliasson never lets obscure optical physics swamp the viewer’s experience, frequently nodding to the common imagery of popular culture as a congenial anchor.

From Los Angeles Times

Although TR expansions constitute about 6 percent of our genome and substantially contribute to complex congenial conditions, scientific understanding of them remains limited.

From Science Daily

And the children and denizens of the congenial apartment complex observe and participate in the increasingly madcap antics of mother and child.

From New York Times

Related Words

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

More About Congenial

What does congenial mean?

Congenial means friendly, pleasant, or agreeable. Someone who’s congenial is easy to get along with.

It’s especially used to describe people and their personalities, but it can also describe atmospheres marked by friendliness, as in a congenial workplace.

The noun congeniality refers to the quality of being congenial.

Less commonly, congenial can mean well suited or well matched, as in It’s a very congenial friendship—they share several interests. The word compatible is a close synonym of this sense of congenial.

Example: You won’t find a more congenial person than Jess—she has a kind word for everyone she meets.

Where does congenial come from?

The first records of the word congenial come from the 1600s. It’s essentially a combination of con-, meaning “same” or “together,” and genial, meaning “warmly and pleasantly cheerful,” from the Latin geniālis, “festive, jovial, pleasant.”

The words congenial and genial can be used as synonyms. Similar adjectives are affable, amiable, convivial, and cordial. A person who’s considered congenial usually isn’t just friendly and pleasant when they have to be or when it suits them—they’re friendly and pleasant all the time.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to congenial?

• congeniality (noun)
• congenially (adverb)

What are some synonyms for congenial?

• friendly
• agreeable
• pleasant
• genial
• affable
• convivial
• amiable
• cordial

What are some words that share a root or word element with congenial? 

• genial
• genius

What are some words that often get used in discussing congenial?

• agreeability
• friendliness
• pleasantness
• cordiality
• nice
• warm

How is congenial used in real life?

Congenial is always used in a positive way. It’s especially used to describe a friendly person’s personality or a friendly atmosphere.

‘You felt that the welcoming atmosphere of the Art Gallery of New South Wales was merely an extension of his infinitely congenial personality’ – Angus Trumble on the late Edmund Capon https://t.co/zzrVDwMkof

— Apollo Magazine (@Apollo_magazine) March 24, 2019

Local veteran Bob Baker retired earlier today from the Heritage Square Martin’s Supermarket. Known for his congenial personality and customer service, Baker served in World War II for four years at the age of 17 in Okinawa, Japan. @KDesaiWNDU was there. https://t.co/VV8uLKzz80

— WNDU (@WNDU) December 16, 2017

Research shows that happier employees make for improved collegiality as well as a more congenial workplace. https://t.co/lSUbAL2bDN

— Emma Seppälä, Ph.D. (@emmaseppala) February 28, 2016

Try using congenial!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of congenial?

A. affable

B. convivial

C. incompatible

D. genial