amiable

[ ey-mee-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. having or showing pleasant, good-natured personal qualities; affable:

   an amiable disposition.

   Synonyms: gracious

   Antonyms: rude

2. friendly; sociable:

   an amiable greeting; an amiable gathering.

   Synonyms: amicable

   Antonyms: hostile, unfriendly

3. agreeable; willing to accept the wishes, decisions, or suggestions of another or others.
4. Obsolete. lovable or lovely.

amiable

/ ˈeɪmɪəbəl /

adjective

1. having or displaying a pleasant or agreeable nature; friendly

Derived Forms

• ˌamiaˈbility, noun
• ˈamiably, adverb

Other Words From

• ami·a·bili·ty ami·a·ble·ness noun
• ami·a·bly adverb
• quasi-ami·a·ble adjective
• quasi-ami·a·bly adverb
• un·ami·a·ble adjective
• un·ami·a·ble·ness noun
• un·ami·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of amiable¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin amīcābilis amicable

Word History and Origins

Origin of amiable¹

C14: from Old French, from Late Latin amīcābilis amicable

Example Sentences

“I’m going to be honest with you,” she says, with amiable frankness.

From Los Angeles Times

Adventurous and brave, amiable and with good humor, Washington Donaldson won hearts with his failures as well as his successes.

From Salon

Knud Adams, who directed the Roundabout Theatre Company’s world premiere of “Primary Trust,” stages the play with an amiable lightness that exemplifies Cranberry’s motto: “Welcome Friend, You’re Right on Time!”

From Los Angeles Times

All night long it seemed amiable, and Walz - the former high school defensive football coach - sat back in a prevent defense.

From Salon

For example, there’s the amiable sweetness, which can also be interpreted as people-pleasing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affable
• amicable
• charming
• cheerful
• cordial
• delightful
• engaging
• friendly
• genial
• good-humored
• good-natured
• gracious
• lovable
• mellow
• pleasant
• sociable