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.

While the co-hosts mostly questioned him on the Trump administration’s policies on immigration and race, the discussion was cordial.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026

The program featured Vice President JD Vance last week, where he received a cordial welcome.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026

Japan and India both historically have maintained cordial relations with Iran, although they grudgingly complied with US sanctions aimed at stopping all other countries from buying Iranian oil.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

U.S. officials described Rubio’s meetings in Rome and the Vatican as warm and cordial.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

This would, in fact, be the last lunch the two women ever had together, though they would remain cordial to each other for the rest of their lives.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

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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