genial

adjective (1)

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ge·nial | \ ˈjēn-yəl

, ˈjē-nē-əl \

Definition of genial

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : marked by or freely expressing sympathy or friendliness your genial host

b : favorable to growth or comfort : mild genial sunshine

2 : displaying or marked by genius genial insights

3 obsolete : of or relating to marriage or generation … the genial bed …— John Milton

4 obsolete : inborn, native

genial

adjective (2)

ge·ni·al | \ ji-ˈnī(-ə)l

Definition of genial (Entry 2 of 2)

: of or relating to the chin

Other Words from genial Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did you know? Learn More About genial

Other Words from genial

Adjective (1)

geniality \ ˌjē-nē-ˈa-lə-tē

, jēn-ˈyal- \ noun

genially \ ˈjēn-yə-lē

\ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for genial

Adjective (1)

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?

Genial derives from the Latin adjective genialis, meaning "connected with marriage." When genial was first adopted into English in the mid-16th century, it meant "of or relating to marriage," a sense that is now obsolete. Genialis was formed in Latin by combining the -alis suffix (meaning "of, relating to, or characterized by") with genius, meaning "a person's disposition or inclination." As you may have guessed, Latin genius is the ancestor of the English word genius, meaning "extraordinary intellectual power"—so it's logical enough that genial eventually developed a sense (possibly influenced by the German word genial) of "marked by very high intelligence."