good-natured

adjective

good-na·​tured ˈgu̇d-ˈnā-chərd 

: of a pleasant and cooperative disposition

good-naturedly adverb

good-naturedness noun

Synonyms

• gracious
• pleasant
• nice
• amiable
• sweet

Choose the Right Synonym for good-natured

amiable, good-natured, obliging, complaisant mean having the desire or disposition to please.

amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with.

an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon.

a good-natured girl who was always willing to pitch in

obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful.

our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room

complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness.

was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

Examples of good-natured in a Sentence

the guests at the party were a good-natured bunch

Recent Examples on the Web

Keen home cook Erin Patterson hosted an intimate meal in July 2023 that started with good-natured banter and earnest prayer — but ended with three guests dead. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 July 2025

In the vicinity close to the stadium, the atmosphere grew rowdier but good-natured. —Thomas Smith, Billboard, 7 July 2025

That mom and dad are mostly absent, as well as her tight bond with Diego, turns this good-natured iteration closer to the original source material. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 July 2025

But Glen/Glenda is still the most emotionally nuanced and good-natured of all the potential best friends on this list. —Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 28 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for good-natured

• denatured
• natured

Kids Definition

good-natured

adjective

good-na·​tured

ˈgu̇d-ˈnā-chərd

: of a pleasant cheerful disposition

good-naturedly adverb

good-naturedness noun