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

After an hour, the meeting broke with cordial handshakes. — Katie Honan, WSJ, "Amazon’s New York Project Foundered on Labor Organizing, Opposition to Subsidies," 16 Feb. 2019 At official events, Kate and Meghan have always been very cordial about one another, with Kate recently expressing her excitement about the forthcoming arrival of Meghan's baby. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton End Feud Rumors as They Spend Christmas Day Together," 25 Dec. 2018 More recently, Catania has appeared to have forged a more cordial relationship with the mayor, joining her and friends for lunch at Ben’s Chili Bowl on the afternoon of the June 19 Democratic primary. — Paul Schwartzman, Washington Post, "The story must be told.," 29 June 2018 While the discussions with Johnny Manziel and his representative have been very cordial and informative, there is nothing imminent and nothing to report. — Matt Wyatt, Houston Chronicle, "Johnny Manziel, Hamilton Tiger-Cats without deal as deadline passes," 31 Jan. 2018 Former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, a moderate, won the Democratic primary for the state's governorship, defeating state House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh in a mostly cordial race. — Gregg Re, Fox News, "Underdog Bill Lee surges to win Tennessee GOP gubernatorial primary; pivotal Senate race takes shape," 3 Aug. 2018 The people briefed on the matter described the three days of negotiations as cordial and said both sides made progress on issues related to purchases of American goods and services and greater market access. — Lingling Wei, WSJ, "Xi Jinping’s Top Trade Aide to Visit U.S. for Talks This Month, Shutdown Permitting," 10 Jan. 2019 No matter which country wins the technological battle in the end, those companies that have hitherto benefited from more cordial relationship between the U.S. and China will be the biggest losers. — Jacky Wong, WSJ, "The Trouble With Huawei Will Spread," 6 Dec. 2018 But for now California doesn't appear to be in the mood for cordial talks. — Dale Kasler And Stuart Leavenworth, sacbee, "California upset as EPA lowers vehicle pollution standards," 3 Apr. 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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