cordial
4 synonyms and 3 antonyms for cordial, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Warm and friendly, though often in a polite or formal way.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Warm and friendly, though often in a polite or formal way.
“The two rivals exchanged a cordial handshake.”
Opposites
2. noun
A sweet, concentrated fruit drink diluted with water before drinking (chiefly British).
“She poured the kids a glass of blackcurrant cordial.”
How to use cordial
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cordial relationship
cordial welcome
fruit cordial
Etymology
From Medieval Latin cordialis ("of the heart"), from Latin cor ("heart") — originally a "cordial" was something believed to strengthen the heart.
Full origin of cordial →Frequently asked questions
What does “cordial” mean?
The word “cordial” means warm and friendly, though often in a polite or formal way. In plain terms, politely warm and friendly — or, as a noun in British English, a diluted fruit drink or sweet liqueur.
How do you pronounce “cordial”?
“Cordial” is pronounced KAW-dee-uhl (/ˈkɔɹ.di.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “cordial” in a sentence?
Here is “cordial” used in a sentence: “The two rivals exchanged a cordial handshake.”
What part of speech is “cordial”?
Depending on how it is used, “cordial” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “cordial” come from?
The word “cordial” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin cordialis ("of the heart"), from Latin cor ("heart") — originally a "cordial" was something believed to strengthen the heart.
Is “cordial” a common word?
“Cordial” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cordial” have?
“Cordial” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: warm and friendly, though often in a polite or formal way.
