cordial

[ kawr-juhlor, especially British, -dee-uhl ]

adjective

1. courteous and gracious; friendly; warm:

   a cordial reception.

   Synonyms: genial, affectionate

2. invigorating the heart; stimulating.
3. sincere; heartfelt:

   a cordial dislike.

4. Archaic. of or relating to the heart.

noun

1. a strong, sweetened, aromatic alcoholic liquor; liqueur
2. a stimulating medicine.
3. anything that invigorates or exhilarates.

cordial

/ ˈkɔːdɪəl /

adjective

1. warm and friendly

   a cordial greeting

2. giving heart; stimulating

noun

1. a drink with a fruit base, usually sold in concentrated form and diluted with water before being drunk

   lime cordial

2. another word for liqueur

Derived Forms

• ˈcordialness, noun
• ˈcordially, adverb

Other Words From

• cor·dial·ly adverb
• cor·dial·ness noun
• pre·cor·dial adjective
• qua·si-cor·dial adjective
• su·per·cor·dial adjective
• su·per·cor·dial·ness noun
• un·cor·dial adjective
• un·cor·dial·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cordial¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin cordiālis, equivalent to Latin cordi- (stem of cor ) “heart” + -ālis adjective suffix; heart ( def ), -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cordial¹

C14: from Medieval Latin cordiālis, from Latin cor heart

Example Sentences

He said the pair had a "fairly cordial conversation" where he made clear his intentions.

From BBC

Trump and Rubio now have a cordial relationship, but it hasn't always been that way.

From BBC

The pair maintained a cordial relationship behind the scenes, but it appears to have ended.

From Los Angeles Times

It is in their interest that relations between the two countries remain cordial.

From BBC

Though the two never reached an agreement, they remained cordial with each other and united in their common goal to overthrow British rule.

From BBC

Related Words

• affectionate
• amicable
• cheerful
• congenial
• cozy
• earnest
• gracious
• heartfelt
• hearty
• jovial
• neighborly
• polite
• sincere
• sympathetic
• warm
• warmhearted
• welcoming

More About Cordial

What does cordial mean?

Cordial means friendly and polite.

It used to describe people and their behavior toward others in social situations, especially when they do not know each other well.

When you treat people cordially, you treat them with a sincere friendliness and warmth. A cordial greeting is a warm and friendly one, especially one intended to make someone feel welcome.

The quality of being cordial is cordiality.

Cordial can also be used as a noun meaning a sweetened liquor (more commonly called a liqueur) or a kind of nonalcoholic fruit-based drink, like lime cordial. 

Example: My parents were always very cordial and welcoming when I brought new friends home. 

Where does cordial come from?

The first records of the word cordial come from the 1300s. It comes from the Medieval Latin word cordiālis, from the Latin cor, meaning “heart.”

Less common meanings of cordial include “heartfelt” (as in sincere) and “giving heart” (as in stimulating). But cordial is most commonly used to mean warm and friendly in a way that’s from the heart. Someone who’s described as cordial is probably interacting with someone whom they don’t know very well—since it’s usually a given that you’re warm and friendly with people who are already your friends.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to cordial?

• cordially (adjective)
• cordiality (noun)

What are some synonyms for cordial?

• genial
• friendly
• amicable
• polite
• warm
• welcoming

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

• cor

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

• greeting
• meeting
• welcome
• interaction

Try using cordial!

Cordial is most commonly used to describe someone who is being sincerely friendly to a person who they don’t know too well, even a person they don’t like.

Slowly starting to think that maybe society needs retraining and reform. The standard of being a decent human being has gone down the drain. It cost nothing to be kind even when you don't agree with the other person.

I can promise you that you won't go broke being cordial.

— Officer Parker (@ParkerGFitness) August 1, 2020

🗣| Setien insists that he has been influenced by the Guardiola’s work at Man City.

“We get along. He has always been very cordial to me. I like to chat with the technicians with whom I identify by their way of watching football or feeling it. Pep has always been a reference.” pic.twitter.com/JMCis3Jtb9

— City Chief (@City_Chief) February 29, 2020

Being nice and cordial to people you don't like isn't being fake. It's being an adult.

— Dame Lorraine (@JouvertMorning) October 25, 2016

 

 

How is cordial used in real life?

Which of the following words is an antonym (opposite) of cordial?

A. amicable
B. warm
C. happy
D. rude