congenial

play

adjective con·ge·nial \ kən-ˈjē-nē-əl , -ˈjēn-yəl \

Definition of congenial

1 :having the same nature, disposition, or tastes :kindred

congenial companions

2 a :existing or associated together harmoniously

b :pleasant; especially :agreeably suited to one's nature, tastes, or outlook

a congenial atmosphere

c :sociable, genial

a congenial host

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congeniality

play \kən-ˌjē-nē-ˈa-lə-tē, -ˌjēn-ˈya-\ noun

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congenially

play \kən-ˈjē-nē-ə-lē, -ˈjēn-yə-\ adverb

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Examples of congenial in a Sentence

She moved on, leaving behind the world of politics for the more congenial sphere of the arts. —Amy Fine Collins, Vanity Fair, March 2001
Jackson may walk up to home plate with the cool strut of a superstar, but off the field he is warm and congenial. —Peter Gammons, Sports Illustrated, 12 June 1989
It turned out to be, for me, one of the most congenial and, in a way, lustrous gatherings that I have ever had in the White House. —Lady Bird Johnson 4 May 1965, in A White House Diary, 1970
The town is a congenial place for raising children.
We studied in the congenial atmosphere of the library.
He found the work to be congenial.
She was congenial and easygoing.

Recent Examples of congenial from the Web

Any chance of these sisters having a congenial relationship went out the window when Arya discovered the letter Sansa wrote to their brother and mother in season one urging them to pledge allegiance to King Joffrey.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "A 'Game of Thrones' Director Just Teased Arya or Sansa's Death," 22 Aug. 2017
The forces that brought the five musicians together in a Stevens Point living room in 2010 were as much congenial as musical.

— chris bieri, Alaska Dispatch News, "High-energy string band Horseshoes & Hand Grenades swings through Anchorage, Healy," 11 Aug. 2017
But the Budget Committee's discussion and vote were congenial compared to the contentious U of L board of trustees meeting last month.

— phillip m. bailey, The Courier-Journal, "New KFC Yum Center deal crosses important hurdle with city," 3 Aug. 2017
The 1966 opening of SPAC, known as one of the more congenial semi-outdoor venues in the Northeast, was exactly that.

— david patrick stearns, Philly.com, "Our road trip guide to the Philadelphia Orchestra's summer home: Saratoga Springs," 1 Aug. 2017
Keith Hensel possesses a sixth sense for taming the Maillaird reaction and a congenial manner for proselytizing his solution.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "Why a Toaster Is a Design Triumph," 20 July 2017
WASHINGTON -- Ralph S. Regula, a congenial gentleman farmer from the Canton area who channeled reams of federal money to Northeast Ohio during a 36-year congressional career, has died.

— sabrina eaton, cleveland.com, "Former U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula dies," 20 July 2017
Aaron, wanting a congenial environment in which to write, went to Chiang Mai first.

— benjamin wallace, Daily Intelligencer, "The Culthopping Twins Who Have Been Evangelicals, Rappers, and Digital Nomads," 12 July 2017
The congenial mixologist poured me a Buck Hunt, a mezcal, fig jam and rosemary cocktail that tasted like Thanksgiving.

— julie l. kessler, latimes.com, "A wine lover's weekend escape in Paso Robles," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'congenial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The History of congenial is Spiritual

According to ancient Roman and Greek mythology, each person at birth was assigned a guardian spirit. The Latin name for this attendant spirit was genius. Two people who get along well together can be thought of as sharing a similar spirit; they might even be described by a word combining the Latin prefix com- (meaning "with, together") and genius. And, indeed, it was this com-genius combination that gave rise in the 17th century to the English word congenial. (The Greek word for the guardian spirit, daimōn, gave us eudaemonia, meaning "well-being" or "happiness," but that word is extremely rare.)