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

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

With their simpatico rhythms, the two demonstrate the art of great comedic pairings: Rannells’ tightly-wound, cool earnestness perfectly counterbalances Gad’s hot-mess of anxieties. —Frank Rizzo, Variety, 12 Oct. 2023

Maxwell’s simpatico opening act was SiR. Strolling onstage to enthusiastic yells, the Inglewood, Calif., native kept the audience engaged from start to finish with his soulful tenor that carries a pleasing hint of roughness. —Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019

Probably that’s why Zack automatically figured Tom Waits would totally understand and relate and automatically be super simpatico. —Bart Bull, Spin, 8 Aug. 2023

Prince-Bythewood and Winbush are immediately simpatico, so that keeps her invested. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 July 2023

The actor and the director’s simpatico sensibilities are once again palpable in this new relationship dramedy. —Tomris Laffly, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 May 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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