cordially
Americanadverb
-
in a courteous and friendly way; graciously.
You are cordially invited to take part in the festivities.
-
deeply and sincerely.
I was cordially ashamed of how we had acted.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of cordially
Explanation
Cordially means "doing something in a heartfelt way." If you cordially welcome a stranger into your house, you make him or her feel comfortable, because you show that you're truly glad for the visit. The adverb cordially comes from the adjective cordial, which come from the Middle Latin word cordialis meaning "of or for the heart." Something that is done cordially has warmth and friendliness to it, like a host who greets people cordially at a party. In fact, formal party invitations sometimes use the phrase "you are cordially invited," which means you are happily encouraged to attend.
Vocabulary lists containing cordially
The Phantom Tollbooth
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"The Red-Headed League" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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"The Mixer" by P.G. Wodehouse
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That charm has resulted in her becoming a top-grossing live act, sitcom star of her show “Leanne,” bestselling author and film actor sharing the screen with Reese Witherspoon in “You’re Cordially Invited.”
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025
Comedic films increasingly migrated to streamers, such as this year’s Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon-led romantic comedy “You’re Cordially Invited” on Prime Video, or 2021’s star-studded satire “Don’t Look Up” on Netflix.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2025
Not surprisingly, I treasure a copy of her memoir, “My Own Two Feet,” inscribed “Especially for Michael Dirda, Cordially, Beverly Cleary.”
From Washington Post • Aug. 26, 2020
Cordially, Robert Moses This was no ordinary demurral over a book’s merits.
From The Guardian • Apr. 28, 2016
Cordially are they welcomed, and as it is Oo-che-me-ke-se-gou the ladies are gallantly kissed by the gentlemen.
From Winter Adventures of Three Boys by Laughlin, J. E.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
