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cordial
[ kawr-juhlor, especially British, -dee-uhl ]
adjective
a cordial reception.
Synonyms: genial, affectionate
- invigorating the heart; stimulating.
a cordial dislike.
- Archaic. of or relating to the heart.
noun
- a strong, sweetened, aromatic alcoholic liquor; liqueur
- a stimulating medicine.
- anything that invigorates or exhilarates.
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Derived Forms
- ˈcordialness, noun
- ˈcordially, adverb
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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
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Word History and Origins
Origin of cordial1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of cordial1
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Example Sentences
You may recall the Great Drinking Vinegar Renaissance of the 2010s, when Pok Pok chef Andy Ricker riffed on Southeast Asia’s drinking vinegar tradition and American shrubs to create the Som cordial that captivated much of the food world.
This is the first I have heard of such complaints, and our pre-coronavirus family get-togethers were always cordial.
If it was a married couple, he would be cordial and friendly, he used the liking principle, speaking to both people.
They are all now adults, and we have very cordial relationships.
The interactions are often cordial — she often strikes up conversation with patients about their tattoos — but necessarily brief.
The 2008 Republican presidential nominee and longtime Arizona senator has long had a cordial relationship with Hillary Clinton.
Neither trusts the other, yet cultural norms dictate that everyone remain cordial.
Despite any partisan enmities, the two top politicos maintained a cordial relationship.
The president and former president, who once despised each other, are cordial but far from friendly.
The email exchanges started out as cordial, if cold, but gradually grew more confrontational.
The relations between country bank officials and the officials of this bank have been most cordial.
Tressan advanced to meet him, a smile of cordial welcome on his lips, and they bowed to each other in formal greeting.
He put out his hand in the most cordial and friendly way, and greeted me with the most winning smile in the world.
He was well entitled to the Resolution of cordial thanks which the associated companies accorded to him.
But to rulers possessed of scriptural qualifications, cordial obedience is due.
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Related Words
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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?
What are some words that share a root or word element with cordial?
What are some words that often get used in discussing cordial?
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
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