cordial

play

adjective cor·dial \ˈkȯr-jəl\

Definition of cordial

1a : showing or marked by warm and often hearty friendliness, favor, or approval a cordial welcome : politely pleasant and friendly two nations maintaining cordial relationsb : sincerely or deeply felt a cordial dislike for each other
2 : tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate bottles full of excellent cordial waters — Daniel Defoe
3 obsolete : of or relating to the heart : vital

cordially

play \ˈkȯrj-lē, ˈkȯr-jə-\ adverb

cordialness

play \ˈkȯr-jəl-nəs\ noun

See cordial defined for English-language learners

cordial was our Word of the Day on 04/13/2010. Hear the podcast!

Examples of cordial in a Sentence

… 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
We received a cordial greeting from our hostess at the party.
The two nations have maintained cordial relations.

Did You Know?

Cordial shares the Latin root cor with "concord" (meaning "harmony") and "discord" (meaning "conflict"). Cor means "heart," and each of these "cor" descendants has something to do with the heart, at least figuratively. "Concord," which comes from "con-" (meaning "together" or "with") plus "cor," suggests that one heart is with another. "Discord" combines the prefix dis- (meaning "apart") with "cor," and it implies that hearts are apart. When "cordial" was first used in the 14th century, it literally meant "of or relating to the heart," but this sense has not been in use since the 17th century. Today anything that is "cordial," be it a welcome, a hello, or an agreement, comes from the heart in a figurative sense.

Origin and Etymology of cordial

Middle English, from Medieval Latin cordialis, from Latin cord-, cor heart — more at heart

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

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

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

cordial

play

noun cor·dial \ˈkȯr-jəl\

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 in a Sentence

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

Origin and Etymology of cordial

see ¹cordial

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

CORDIAL Defined for English Language Learners

cordial

play

adjective

Definition of cordial for English Language Learners

: politely pleasant and friendly

cordial

play

noun

Definition of cordial for English Language Learners

: a sweet alcoholic drink
: a drink of heavy fruit juice that is mixed with water

CORDIAL Defined for Kids

cordial

play

adjective cor·dial \ˈkȯr-jəl\

Definition of cordial for Students

: warm and friendly a cordial host

cordially

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.