Definitions

cordial

[kawr-juhl, -dee-uhl] / ˈkɔr dʒəl, -di əl /

ADJECTIVE

friendly, sociable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affectionate amicable cheerful congenial cozy earnest gracious heartfelt hearty jovial neighborly polite sincere sympathetic warm warmhearted welcoming

STRONG

glowing heart-to-heart social tender

WEAK

affable agreeable buddy-buddy clubby companionable convivial genial happy invigorating mellow palsy-walsy red-carpet responsive wholehearted

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cold cool disagreeable insincere rude sad uncaring unconcerned unenthusiastic unfeeling unfriendly unhappy unkind unsociable unsympathetic

WEAK

aloof hostile indifferent inhospitable uncordial unpleasant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But Michael insists that his behind-the-scenes discussions with Amodei were always polite and cordial.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

The cordial conversation Monday lasted about eight minutes, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told journalists Wednesday during her regular morning news conference.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

As if aware of this, in a lull during Pakistan's inevitable defeat, the ICC replayed the cordial exchange between Wasim and Rohit prior to the match.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

Blanchet noted there has been no progress towards easing Trump's sectoral tariffs battering key parts of Canada's economy and asked Carney if negotiations with the United States are "normal and cordial."

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

Whenever I went out, I heard on all sides cordial salutations, and was welcomed with friendly smiles.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Vocabulary lists containing cordial

Grade 9, List 2

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More Positive Words to Describe a Person

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Body Language: Cor, Cord, Cardio ("Heart")

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