simpatico

adjective

sim·​pa·​ti·​co sim-ˈpä-ti-ˌkō 

-ˈpa-

1

: agreeable, likable

The Bachelor Duke was a highly simpatico figure, kind, humane, civilized—qualities that it is often difficult to recapture in a historical biography.

—John Martin Robinson

2

: having shared qualities, interests, etc. : like-minded, sympathetic

These two artists are simpatico. Carlson, like Sorolla, works out-of-doors, directly from his subject …

—Kay Mayer

Andrea Sand's group of older mothers are simpatico because of their common age and experience.

—Barbara Hey

With the patronage of a simpatico Reagan, Casey took in hand a diminished CIA and molded it into a high-tech agency …

—William L. Chaze et al.

Did you know?

Simpatico, which derives from the Greek noun sympatheia, meaning "sympathy," was borrowed into English from both Italian and Spanish. In those languages, the word has been chiefly used to describe people who are well-liked or easy to get along with; early uses of the word in English reflected this, as in Henry James's 1881 novel The Portrait of a Lady, in which a character says of another's dying cousin, "Ah, he was so simpatico. I’m awfully sorry for you." In recent years, however, the word's meaning has shifted. Now we see it used to describe the relationship between people who get along well or work well together.

Examples of simpatico in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The graduating class finds their simpatico homeroom teacher replaced by a humorless, by-the-book type, and the Music Research Club is deemed a fire hazard and shut down, the electronic equipment locked away in a storeroom. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Sep. 2024

Thinking the occult expert cum horror star and the high priest would be simpatico, Davis hosted a dinner party that went off the rails. —Alex Bhattacharji, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2024

After 17 years of musical fellowship – give or take a few in between to tend to other projects – these two are simpatico. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 19 June 2024

Also Read 30 Overlooked 1994 Albums Turning 30 In addition, NOFX will anchor their ongoing farewell tour with three distinct sets throughout the weekend, flanked by simpatico acts such as Buzzcocks, Laura Jane Grace, Circle Jerks, Pennywise, Face to Face, the Vandals and All. —Spin Staff, SPIN, 12 June 2024

The simpatico, closely connected businesses remain neighbors after Wolin downsized within the same building. —Jessica Ritz, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024

There was a rich simpatico among the three owners then, but after several years, Carol experienced another calling to education and amicably departed the organization. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024

The teammates on the Finnish national team are simpatico on the pitch, but didn’t get to show it in MLS matches last season. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Feb. 2024

The simpatico nature of this supportive community is also palpable at Toluma Farms and Tomales Farmstead Creamery, open by appointment for tours and tastings. —Jessica Ritz, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Italian simpatico & Spanish simpático, ultimately from Latin sympathia sympathy

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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