genial

[jeen-yuhl, jee-nee-uhl] / ˈdʒin yəl, ˈdʒi ni əl /

ADJECTIVE

extremely nice and happy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affable amiable cheerful cheery chipper congenial convivial easygoing gentle good-natured gracious jolly jovial kindly pleasant sociable sunny upbeat

WEAK

agreeable amicable blithe cheering chirpy cordial enlivening favorable friendly glad hearty high jocund joyous kind merry neighborly perky up warm warm-hearted

Antonyms

STRONGEST

depressed disagreeable gloomy hateful mean nasty rude sad serious surly unfriendly unhappy unkind unsympathetic upset

WEAK

aloof cold cool cranky irritable moody

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.

His innocent smiles and genial facial expressions won over millions of viewers.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

A formidable scholar with a genial talent for storytelling, he amplifies his archival research with personal investigation of the places and surviving objects from his subject’s life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

RFK Jr.’s more genial video version shows him sipping a glass of milk and being dreamily transported to a lively dance floor.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

One socializes with friends: Forty years in Charlottesville has brought me many smart and genial ones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

The loud speakers veiled their commands in a genial and musical politeness.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

Vocabulary lists containing genial

Fast Food Nation

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Grade 10, List 6

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"The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton

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