cordial

adjective

cor·dial | \ˈkȯr-jəl

Definition of cordial

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

cordial

noun

Definition of cordial (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : liqueur

2 : a stimulating medicine or drink

Other Words from cordial Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about cordial

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Other Words from cordial

Adjective

cordially \ ˈkȯrj-lē ,

ˈkȯr-jə- \ adverb

cordialness \ ˈkȯr-jəl-nəs

\ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for cordial

Adjective

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

Did You Know?

Adjective

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.

Examples of cordial in a Sentence

Adjective

… 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.

Noun

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 on the Web: Adjective

And Mitchell had an incredibly classy response: The two haven’t always been as cordial. — Nina Mandell, For The Win, "Donovan Mitchell had classiest response to Ben Simmons winning Rookie of the Year," 25 June 2018 Mansoor has been nothing but cordial to me personally. — latimes.com, "Councilman Allan Mansoor should take a leave of absence until state resolves residency issue," 1 May 2018 Though one lawmaker called for his resignation in the wake of the travel report, others were cordial to Dr. Shulkin at a budget hearing Thursday morning and did not bring up the report. — Dave Philipps And Nicholas Fandos, New York Times, "Intrigue at V.A. as Secretary Says He Is Being Forced Out," 15 Feb. 2018 Yet Mr Putin and Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, who is fighting for his political career (see article), are also on cordial terms. — The Economist, "It is not going well," 15 Feb. 2018 President Trump may have declared diplomatic victory immediately after his cordial June meeting with Kim Jong-un. — Benjamin Hart, Daily Intelligencer, "North Korea Calls U.S. Diplomatic Posture ‘Regrettable’," 7 July 2018 The two men subsequently spoke by telephone in what both termed a cordial and respectful conversation. — Patrick J. Mcdonnell, latimes.com, "Mexico's Lopez Obrador taps longtime loyalist as nominee for top diplomat and invites Trump to inauguration," 6 July 2018 Neighbors described Hartman as cordial and sweet, a positive presence in the neighborhood. — Stacia Glenn, The Seattle Times, "DNA, used napkin lead police to suspect in Tacoma girl’s 1986 killing," 25 June 2018 But there is sweetness enough in the very fine food made with care and in the cordial and solicitous staff, whose skill and thoughtfulness could be emulated by some of the higher-end restaurantes in town. — Beth Segal, cleveland.com, "Las Americas: Destination dining in the back of the store in Bedford Heights," 30 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Sugarfina has become well-known for their alcohol-infused and inspired candies like Champagne bears, single malt scotch cordials peach bellini gummies. — Staff Reports, Houston Chronicle, "Sweet treat specialist Sugarfina coming to Market Street," 5 July 2018 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

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.

History and Etymology for cordial

Adjective

Middle English cordiall "of the heart, cardiac, invigorating, deeply felt," borrowed from Medieval Latin cordiālis, from Latin cord-, cor "heart" + -iālis -ial

Noun

Middle English, "stimulating substance," borrowed from Medieval Latin cordiāle, noun derivative from neuter of cordiālis "of the heart, invigorating" — more at cordial entry 1

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