good-natured

adjective

good-na·​tured ˈgu̇d-ˈnā-chərd 

: of a pleasant and cooperative disposition

good-naturedly adverb

good-naturedness noun

Synonyms

• affable
• agreeable
• amiable
• genial
• good-tempered
• gracious
• mellow
• nice
• pleasant
• sweet
• well-disposed

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

Through no fault of her own, Welch found herself in the political crosshairs after playing a good-natured game of hot-or-not on Brianna LaPaglia’s Plan Bri podcast. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2024

Lakers LeBron James says pay cut was about making sure his relationship with Lakers works July 7, 2024 Durant added some good-natured ribbing of some fellow Team USA players. —Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2024

McCoubrey was in the Navy, while Samaras and Theis served in the Army — a divide that's become the subject of some good-natured ribbing in their home. —James Brown, CBS News, 3 July 2024

Summers’ script is sometimes lacking in dramatic punch but has plenty of heart and good-natured laughs, as well as heart-tugging moments that feel genuinely affecting. —Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 20 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

good-natured

adjective

good-na·​tured

ˈgu̇d-ˈnā-chərd

: of a pleasant cheerful disposition

good-naturedly adverb

good-naturedness noun