convivial

adjective

con·viv·ial kən-ˈviv-yəl

-ˈvi-vē-əl

Synonyms of convivial next

: relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking, and good company

a convivial host

a convivial gathering

conviviality

kən-ˌvi-vē-ˈa-lə-tē

noun

convivially

kən-ˈviv-yə-lē

-ˈvi-vē-ə-lē

adverb

Did you know?

Convivial traces to "convivium," a Latin word meaning "banquet," and tends to suggest a mood of full-bellied joviality. Charles Dickens aptly captures that sense in his novel David Copperfield: "We had a beautiful little dinner. Quite an elegant dish of fish; the kidney-end of a loin of veal, roasted; fried sausage-meat; a partridge, and a pudding. There was wine, and there was strong ale.... Mr. Micawber was uncommonly convivial. I never saw him such good company. He made his face shine with the punch, so that it looked as if it had been varnished all over. He got cheerfully sentimental about the town, and proposed success to it."

Example Sentences

the hiking club attracts a wide range of convivial people who share a love of the outdoors

Recent Examples on the Web How convivial were those social circles in real life? —

Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 12 Apr. 2023 An arena is not a particularly convivial place for a dance party, but no one seemed to mind. —

Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2023 After fielding a question by Variety editor Shirley Halperin about AI in relation to the 2023 WGA writers' strike, Snoop expressed his bemused feelings on AI in a genuinely funny exchange, resulting in convivial laughter from the audience. —

Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 4 May 2023 Tricky’s has clever, contemporary small plates and natural wine in a convivial industrial-ish setting. —

Seth Sherwood, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2023 French 75s, Hurricanes, and Vieux Carres are all cranked out at a high clip — with consistent quality — in a warm, convivial space. —

Brad Japhe, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2023 Woolley's has a convivial vibe, which is unexpected for an airport location. —

Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2023 The vibe was relaxed and convivial. —

Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2023 Teal Thomsen Joris Allardon Indian textiles and Palestinian cuisine in Paris In the lively Pigalle neighborhood, down a quiet cobbled street away from the area’s convivial bars and bistros, is Hotel Le Ballu, a 37-room boutique property by the hotelier Julia Vidalenc. —

Michaela Trimble, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'convivial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.