cordial

adjective cor·dial \ ˈkȯr-jəl \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: cordial in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of cordial

1 a : showing or marked by warm and often hearty friendliness, favor, or approval

a cordial welcome

: politely pleasant and friendly

two nations maintaining cordial relations

b : 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.

Recent Examples of cordial from the Web

However, while cordial, neither leader warmed to the other.

— andrew preston, The New Republic, "Will Trump Be Nixon in China?," 11 June 2018
At least until the two coaches face off in their first Kentucky-Louisville rivalry game in December though, relations appear cordial.

— jon hale, The Courier-Journal, "John Calipari: Chris Mack can win national titles at Louisville," 7 June 2018
But Greg Porter had a cordial relationship with at least one of his neighbors.

— eder campuzano, OregonLive.com, "Former neighbors of PSU hit-and-run suspect 'not shocked' by his arrest," 26 May 2018
Brown, too, is super cordial, warning that there's beignet dust on my cheek.

— eve barlow, GQ, "Parquet Courts Are Here to Thrash," 7 May 2018
Add tequila and cordial, then shake and pour into a highball glass.

— sarah rense, Esquire, "The 5 Best Cocktail Trends for 2018," 8 Feb. 2018
Breswster has reportedly rejected an offer from Liverpool, but the relationship between the club and player is said to still be a cordial one, with the Reds hoping to iron something out in due course.

— SI.com, "Liverpool Cancel Friendly With German Side Following Transfer Dispute Over Attacking Starlet," 19 May 2018
Richard McGregor, senior fellow at Sydney's Lowy Institute, told CNN the perfect outcome of the summit for China would be cordial talks, leading eventually to a peace treaty and calmer Korean Peninsula.

— ben westcott, CNN, "Is Xi Jinping the puppetmaster behind North Korea's pushback on talks?," 18 May 2018
Kim and Breed released cordial statements condemning the language used and calling for unity.

— heather knight, San Francisco Chronicle, "Side trip on Muni: just one stop in puppy’s life," 14 May 2018

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

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! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 3

See Words from the same year

cordial Synonyms

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

noun

Definition of cordial

1 : liqueur

2 : a stimulating medicine or drink

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

Recent Examples of cordial from the Web

Marty Pearl/Special to Courier Journal, Courier Journal The classroom was set with samplers of cordials and simple syrups.

— maggie menderski, The Courier-Journal, "Copper & Kings wants to help low-wage workers. How? Superb cocktails," 29 May 2018
The surviving members of Led Zeppelin are in talks to launch a quality malt liquor called Dazed and Confused, while Wild Thing malt liquors, inspired by the Troggs, and Good Vibrations cordials are also in some stage of development.

— joe queenan, WSJ, "You Gotta Serve Somebody Dylan’s Whiskey," 3 May 2018
Yup: At long last, the world finally has vodka shots inside chocolate cordials.

— danielle tullo, Cosmopolitan, "Not a Drill: You Can Now Buy Vodka-Infused Chocolate," 8 Jan. 2018
Sweet Essentials For Detroiters of a certain age, Sydney Bogg was a touchstone, delivering sugar highs in the guise of clusters, cordials, popcorn and many more vehicles.

— erin podolsky, Detroit Free Press, "Valentine's Day: Get a chocolate fix from these 10 metro Detroit craft candy makers," 7 Feb. 2018
But in other categories — such as vodka, rum, cordials, and ready-to-drink cocktails — sales decreased, according to Liquor Control Board data.

— mari a. schaefer, Philly.com, "Alcohol sales are up in Philly. Is the soda tax driving us to drink?," 26 Jan. 2018
Tito's American Mule Bears, SUGARFINA, $9 BUY NOW There's also a non-alcoholic bento box, which replaces the chocolate cordials with Martini Olive Almonds.

— danielle tullo, Cosmopolitan, "Not a Drill: You Can Now Buy Vodka-Infused Chocolate," 8 Jan. 2018
Fine strain into rocks glass and add one large block ice. Garnish with a luxardo cherry wrapped in orange peel and serve with Sugarfina Añejo cordials.

— lauren sheffield, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Boozy Candies You Need At Your Next Party," 1 Sep. 2017
The new Highway in the Sky Dine-Around is a five-stop progressive dinner at three resorts, concluding with dessert, cordials, and a private patio viewing of the nightly fireworks show over Cinderella Castle.

— valerie marino, CNT, "Walt Disney World and Disney Parks: What's New in 2017," 9 Feb. 2017

Origin and Etymology of cordial

see ¹cordial

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

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

adjective

Definition of cordial for English Language Learners

: politely pleasant and friendly

cordial

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

adjective cor·dial \ ˈkȯr-jəl \

Definition of cordial for Students

: warm and friendly

a cordial host

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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.