likable

or like·a·ble

[ lahy-kuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. readily or easily liked; pleasing:

   a likable young man.

   Synonyms: engaging, winsome, attractive, genial

likable

/ ˈlaɪkəbəl /

adjective

1. easy to like; pleasing

Derived Forms

• ˌlikaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• lika·ble·ness lika·bili·ty likea·ble·ness likea·bili·ty noun
• un·lika·ble un·likea·ble adjective
• un·lika·ble·ness un·likea·ble·ness noun
• un·lika·bly un·likea·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of likable¹

First recorded in 1720–30; like ² + -able

Example Sentences

This is, among other things, a challenging interrogation of the presumption that a book’s protagonist should be likable.

From Washington Post

If you’re female and deemed not likable, then you’re probably also labeled as “rude”—at the very least.

From Fortune

At the center of this thrilling battle are 16-year-old Rye Dolan and his older brother, Gig, two of the most likable characters you’ll ever meet.

From Washington Post

You have to know what you’re saying, control how you move, appear likable and authentic, all while trying to convey a clear message and establish yourself as a legitimate, trustworthy source.

From Popular-Science

It’s a joy to watch her viciously kick the bathroom door shut as she has her existential crisis — and Rory has always been at her most sweetly likable when she’s helping Paris through a meltdown.

From Vox

But you find something in them to make them likable and people you do want to spend more than five minutes with.

From The Daily Beast

Each episode showed his other life as a father, a grief counselor, and a generally likable person.

From The Daily Beast

Rand Paul had the benefit of observing both what made his father likable and popular, and what made him an also-ran.

From The Daily Beast

Instead, Ernst is seen as a “likable, relatable person” who is cut “from the cloth of small-town Iowa.”

From The Daily Beast

Now they should show strength—but still be likable, according to new research.

From The Daily Beast

They were fine, clean-cut, likable boys, who had come through the war with colors flying.

From Project Gutenberg

The fact that so many German people were likable and that Germany had achieved so much made the case all the worse.

From Project Gutenberg

He had a son, Melville, mighty likable young fellow, studyin' law when his paw died.

From Project Gutenberg

He is so likable he either induces you to let him out of it or gets somebody to do it for him.

From Project Gutenberg

He is the most likable of all the types but his indolence sometimes strains even the love of his family to the breaking point.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amiable
• appealing
• attractive
• charismatic
• charming
• engaging
• enjoyable
• genial
• good-natured
• likeable
• sweet
• sympathetic
• winsome