First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1cordial
adjective cor·dial \ˈkȯr-jəl\
: politely pleasant and friendly
Full Definition of CORDIAL
1
obsolete : of or relating to the heart : vital
2
: tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate <bottles full of excellent cordial waters — Daniel Defoe>
3
a : sincerely or deeply felt <a cordial dislike for each other> b : warmly and genially affable <cordial relations>
— cor·dial·ly \ˈkȯrj-lē, ˈkȯr-jə-\ adverb
— cor·dial·ness \ˈkȯr-jəl-nəs\ noun
See cordial defined for English-language learners
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of CORDIAL
- … Conrad Black was cordial and not the least rumbustious. —Calvin Trillin, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2001
- Though its chairman, Charles Obi, was cordial to him, the others made it clear that they didn't want him. —Ishmael Reed, Japanese by Spring, 1993
- My reception was cordial enough … —Robert Frost, 7 Jan. 1913, in Selected Letters of Robert Frost, edited by Lawrance Thompson, 1964
- Mr. Price now received his daughter; and having given her a cordial hug, and observed that she was grown into a woman … —Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814
- [+]more
Origin of CORDIAL
Middle English, from Medieval Latin cordialis, from Latin cord-, cor heart — more at heart
Related to CORDIAL
- Synonyms
- amicable, bonhomous, buddy-buddy, chummy, collegial, companionable, comradely, friendly, genial, hail-fellow, hail-fellow-well-met, hearty, matey [chiefly British], neighborly, palsy, palsy-walsy [slang], warm, warmhearted
- Antonyms
- antagonistic, hostile, unfriendly
Synonym Discussion of CORDIAL
gracious, cordial, affable, genial, sociable mean markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse. gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration <the gracious award winner thanked her colleagues>. cordial stresses warmth and heartiness <our host was cordial as he greeted us>. affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals <though wealthy, she was affable to all>. genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality <a genial companion with a ready quip>. sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others <sociable people who enjoy entertaining>.
Other Anatomy Terms
2cordial
noun cor·dial \ˈkȯr-jəl\
: a sweet alcoholic drink
: a drink of heavy fruit juice that is mixed with water
Full Definition of CORDIAL
1
: a stimulating medicine or drink
2
: liqueur
See cordial defined for English-language learners
See cordial defined for kids
Examples of CORDIAL
- It was fortunate that the boys never tested Alyce's magic, for the bottle she shook so fiercely at them was naught but blackberry cordial she was to deliver to Old Anna … —Karen Cushman, The Midwife's Apprentice, 1995
- A boy is said to become a man when he can sip the 140-proof anise-seed cordial without wincing. —Paul L. Montgomery, New York Times, 6 Sept. 1965
- “In this bottle,” he said, “there is a cordial made of the juice of one of the fire-flowers that grow in the mountains of the sun. If you or any of your friends are hurt, a few drops of this will restore you. —C. S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, 1950
- [+]more
Origin of CORDIAL
(see 1cordial)
First Known Use: 14th century
CORDIALLY Defined for Kids
cordial
adjective cor·dial \ˈkȯr-jəl\
Definition of CORDIAL for Kids
: warm and friendly <a cordial host>
— cor·dial·ly adverb <You are cordially invited.>
Word Root of CORDIAL
The Latin word cor, meaning “heart,” and its form cordis give us the root cord. Words from the Latin cor have something to do with the heart. When there is discord, or disagreement, hearts are apart. When there is accord, or agreement, hearts have moved together. Anything that is cordial, such as a welcome, comes from the heart.
Medical Dictionary
cordial
noun cor·dial \ˈkȯr-jəl\
Medical Definition of CORDIAL
: an invigorating and stimulating medicine, food, or drink
Learn More About CORDIAL
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: cordialityPrevious Word in the Dictionary: cordgrassAll Words Near: cordial
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up cordial? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).