Vocabulary in context
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Cordial
Sincere and warm
adjectiveCheck this word before you leave
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Imagine This
After the New Year's Eve dinner, many guests were extremely happy and welcomed each other (again!) because they drank too much cordial. How friendly!
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Sounds Like
KOR-dee-uhl
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Looks Like
Cordial → a sweetened liquor
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Remember This
Cordial comes from Latin cordialis meaning 'of the heart' (cor, cord- = heart). The word also exists as a noun for a sweet liqueur; keep the adjective sense separate from the drink.
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Other Forms
cordialitynoun
cordiallyadverb
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Connect With
warmth, geniality, affability, friendliness
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Note
In modern usage, cordial primarily means warmth or friendliness in manner. Do not confuse with the noun form referring to the drink; use 'cordial' as a noun when you mean the liqueur, or specify the drink type if needed.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The host gave a cordial welcome to all guests.
- Her cordial demeanor helped ease the tension in the room.
Synonyms
warmaffablegenialfriendlyheartfelt
Antonyms
coldhostileunfriendly
Etymology
From Latin cordialis ‘of the heart,’ from cor, cord- ‘heart’. The sense develops from 'heartfelt' to the adjective meaning warm and friendly.
Mnemonic
Think of cord as heart: cordial = heart-felt warmth. Visualize a host opening their heart to guests with a warm welcome.
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Harbor
verbTo shelter or provide refuge for someone; to conceal or protect; to hold in the mind (as in harboring a thought, feeling, or grievance).
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verbTo damage or ruin someone's reputation by making false statements or presenting them in a harmful way; to slander.
Garrulous
adjectiveExcessively talkative, especially about trivial matters; chatty.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Adept
adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.
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