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Synonyms

sociable

American  
[soh-shuh-buhl] / ˈsoʊ ʃə bəl /

adjective

  1. inclined to associate with or be in the company of others.

  2. friendly or agreeable in company; companionable.

  3. characterized by agreeable companionship.

    a sociable evening at the home of friends.


noun

  1. Chiefly Northern and Midland U.S. an informal social gathering, especially of members of a church.

sociable British  
/ ˈsəʊʃəbəl /

adjective

  1. friendly or companionable

  2. (of an occasion) providing the opportunity for friendliness and conviviality

"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. another name for social

  2. a type of open carriage with two seats facing each other

"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

Other Word Forms

  • nonsociable adjective
  • nonsociableness noun
  • nonsociably adverb
  • sociability noun
  • sociableness noun
  • sociably adverb

Etymology

Origin of sociable

1545–55; < Latin sociābilis, equivalent to sociā ( re ) to unite (derivative of socius partner, comrade) + -bilis -ble

Explanation

When you're sociable, you're willing to talk and be friendly with other people. At a party, it's a good idea to be sociable and make new friends rather than standing off in a corner by yourself. Sociable comes from the Latin sociabilis meaning "close, intimate." When you are sociable with others, you invite them to get close to you by being friendly and pleasant. When a place or group of people is friendly and inviting, it can be described as sociable. Certain small towns are known to be friendly and sociable.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing sociable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Right now, delay going to dinner with friends because I don’t feel terribly sociable.

From Slate • Jan. 26, 2026

Behind the apostles, in a beehive of sociable activity, wingless angels busy themselves with rituals—tending to oil lamps, burning cypress branches, playing musical instruments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

Miles Hart was sociable, clever and witty - the joker of the group.

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2025

Robert's flatmates didn't go out much, and his course didn't feel very sociable.

From BBC • Nov. 1, 2025

He doesn’t seem well suited to the life of a pastor, where you should be even-tempered and sociable.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman