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adj

genial

JEE-neerl

Genial (adj) means Friendly, warm, and pleasant in manner. Example: “The genial host made everyone feel welcome.”

adj
1
Friendly, warm, and pleasant in manner.
"The genial host made everyone feel welcome."
"He has a genial personality that puts clients at ease."
2
Mild and pleasant, especially of weather or climate.
"They enjoyed the genial warmth of the Mediterranean coast."

How to use genial

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWarm, friendly, and easy to get along with.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "genius" (great intelligence) — "genial" is about friendliness, not brilliance.

Easily confused with

Word forms

more genial comparative, most genial superlative

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Test yourself on “genial” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ host made everyone feel welcome.

Etymology

From Latin genialis ("pertaining to marriage or festivity"), from genius ("guardian spirit").

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for genial

See all rhymes for genial →

Frequently asked questions

What does “genial” mean?

The word “genial” means friendly, warm, and pleasant in manner. In plain terms, warm, friendly, and easy to get along with.

How do you pronounce “genial”?

“Genial” is pronounced JEE-neerl (/ˈd͡ʒinjəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “genial” in a sentence?

Here is “genial” used in a sentence: “The genial host made everyone feel welcome.”

What part of speech is “genial”?

“Genial” is an adjective.

Where does the word “genial” come from?

The word “genial” comes from Latin. From Latin genialis ("pertaining to marriage or festivity"), from genius ("guardian spirit").

How many meanings does “genial” have?

“Genial” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: friendly, warm, and pleasant in manner.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial