adj
cordial
KAW-dee-uhl
adj
1
Warm and friendly, though often in a polite or formal way.
"The two rivals exchanged a cordial handshake."
"Relations between the neighbours remained cordial despite the dispute."
noun
1
A sweet, concentrated fruit drink diluted with water before drinking (chiefly British).
"She poured the kids a glass of blackcurrant cordial."
2
A flavoured liqueur, often sweet.
"He kept a bottle of cherry cordial for after dinner."
How to Use Cordial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPolitely warm and friendly — or, as a noun in British English, a diluted fruit drink or sweet liqueur.
UK vs US
The drink sense (a diluted fruit squash) is mainly British; Americans are more likely to know "cordial" as a type of liqueur.
Common pairings
cordial relationship
cordial welcome
fruit cordial
Word Forms
more cordial comparative, cordials plural, most cordial superlative
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The two rivals exchanged a _____ handshake.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin cordialis ("of the heart"), from Latin cor ("heart") — originally a "cordial" was something believed to strengthen the heart.