adjective
gregarious
grih-GAIR-ee-uhs
Gregarious (adjective) means Fond of company and naturally sociable, enjoying being among other people. Example: “He is gregarious and seems to know everyone in the building.”
adjective
1
Fond of company and naturally sociable, enjoying being among other people.
"He is gregarious and seems to know everyone in the building."
"A gregarious child, she made friends within an hour of arriving."
2
Of animals, living naturally in flocks, herds or colonies rather than alone.
"Starlings are highly gregarious birds and roost in enormous numbers."
How to use gregarious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who loves being around other people.
When to use it
Neutral to slightly formal; common in profiles, references and nature writing.
Memory tip
Do not confuse it with garrulous, which means excessively talkative.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
gregarious vs garrulous
gregarious vs egregious
Common pairings
naturally gregarious
gregarious personality
gregarious species
less gregarious
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He is _____ and seems to know everyone in the building.
Etymology
From Latin gregarius 'belonging to a flock', from grex, greg- 'flock, herd'.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for gregarious
See all rhymes for gregarious →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between gregarious and extroverted?
Gregarious describes behaviour: liking company and seeking it out. Extroverted describes a personality type, usually meaning someone who gains energy from social contact. Most gregarious people are extroverted, but an extrovert can prefer small groups to crowds.
Is gregarious a compliment?
Generally yes. It suggests warmth and easy sociability rather than loudness. If you want the negative version, words like overbearing or attention-seeking do that work instead.
What is the meaning of gregarious?
"gregarious" (adjective) means fond of company and naturally sociable, enjoying being among other people.
What is another word for gregarious?
Other words for "gregarious" include sociable, outgoing, convivial, extroverted, companionable, social.
