Definition of CONVIVIALITY

Other Words from convivial

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."

Examples of convivial in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

But the convivial atmosphere is likely to give way to indigestion this summer. — Mike Bird, WSJ, "Prepare for a Summer Showdown Between Trump and Tokyo," 28 May 2019 Indeed, Helena Bay’s atmosphere is more shipshape than Kiwi-convivial. — Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, "We Should All Just Move to New Zealand," 17 Jan. 2019 Before retiring for the evening, stop in Nada, a convivial bookstore and publishing house that often plays host to intimate readings and exhibitions by local authors and artists. — Michaela Trimble, Vogue, "An Insider’s Guide to Chapinero Alto, the Williamsburg of Bogotá," 12 Apr. 2019 This convivial cocktail lounge, accessible by invitation only, offers a menu of libations made with top-shelf Japanese sakes and whiskeys. — Michaela Trimble, Vogue, "An Insider’s Guide to the Little Tokyo of Mexico City," 23 Jan. 2019 This information comes from an Iranian Mr. Erdbrink calls Mr. Big Mouth, who seems, between his death wishes for the West, a convivial sort. — Dorothy Rabinowitz, WSJ, "‘Our Man in Tehran’ Review: A Journey Through Iran," 9 Aug. 2018 Many members say that Yildirim is warm and convivial in private, but his public persona is of a fiery figure with a penchant for confrontation and conspiracy theories. — New York Times, "Election Day for a Beleaguered Turkish Soccer Power," 1 June 2018 For those who want a break from the formality of the traditional French dining experience, this market offers a relaxed and convivial atmosphere (and a great place to stock up on snacks for your hotel room or Airbnb). — Condé Nast Traveler, "20 Best Food Tours in Paris," 3 Mar. 2018 Still, the service is hospitable, and the convivial vibe extends to the setting in a long, low former garage, enlivened by a bright, stenciled mural of giant hops hovering over the Sacramento skyline, painted by an employee. — Kate Washington, sacbee, "Food at this craft-beer Valhalla is better than it needs to be | The Sacramento Bee," 23 Feb. 2018

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