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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
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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
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The quince cordial turns out to be delicious, with lip-puckering tartness and warm spice.
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Phillips called it a cordial discussion of issues, which included health care.
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When the Rev. Joe Binzer got on the line, Michael was cordial, matter-of-fact.
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The Strumbellas, a cordial Canadian indie-folk sextet, performed peppy songs with beery choruses.
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Y&Y’s fabulously floral Sunday Gin is blended with Mixwell Dandelion Tonic (!), rose petal cordial and flower petals.
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Though publicly Trump and Sessions have remained cordial - Sessions told the president in a Cabinet meeting Monday that he was honored to serve him - the hearing could weigh heavily on their sagging alliance.
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Specifically, the lime cordial most used is the familiar bottle of Rose’s Lime Juice Cordial.
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One potential source of food imports is Saudi Arabia’s regional rival Iran, whose cordial relationship with Qatar contributed to the diplomatic dispute.
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
Synonym Discussion of cordial
Other Anatomy Terms
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
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Fine strain into rocks glass and add one large block ice. Garnish with luxarado cherry wrapped in orange peel, and serve with Sugarfina Anejo cordials.
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The cocktails are more than just highly Instagrammable: Created by Nicolas Baptiste of Experimental Cocktail fame, all juices, purees, syrups, and cordials are made on-site.
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.
Origin and Etymology of cordial
see 1cordial
CORDIAL Defined for English Language Learners
cordial
playDefinition of cordial for English Language Learners
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: politely pleasant and friendly
cordial
playDefinition of cordial for English Language Learners
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: a sweet alcoholic drink
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: a drink of heavy fruit juice that is mixed with water
CORDIAL Defined for Kids
cordial
playDefinition 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.
Medical Dictionary
cordial
playMedical Definition of cordial
: an invigorating and stimulating medicine, food, or drink
Learn More about cordial
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cordial Spanish Central: Translation of cordial Nglish: Translation of cordial for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cordial for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cordial
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