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View synonyms for cordial

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. 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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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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

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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of cordial1

C14: from Medieval Latin cordiālis, from Latin cor heart
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Example Sentences

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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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.

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What are some other forms related to cordial?

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.

 

 

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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