congenial

[ kuhn-jeen-yuhl ]

/ kənˈdʒin yəl /

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See synonyms for: congenial / congeniality / congenialness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

agreeable, suitable, or pleasing in nature or character: congenial surroundings.

suited or adapted in spirit, feeling, temper, etc.; compatible: a congenial couple.

OTHER WORDS FOR congenial

1 favorable, pleasant, complaisant, sympathetic.

See synonyms for congenial on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR congenial

1, 2 disagreeable.

See antonyms for congenial on Thesaurus.com

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TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

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What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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Origin of congenial

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin con- con- + geni(us) genius + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM congenial

con·ge·ni·al·i·ty

[kuhn-jee-nee-al-i-tee], /kənˌdʒi niˈæl ɪ ti/, con·gen·ial·ness, nouncon·gen·ial·ly, adverbpre·con·gen·ial, adjectivequa·si-con·gen·ial, adjective

qua·si-con·gen·ial·ly, adverbun·con·gen·ial, adjectiveun·con·gen·ial·ly, adverb

Words nearby congenial

congelifraction, congeliturbation, congener, congeneric, congenetic, congenial, congeniality, congenic, congenital, congenital afibrinogenemia, congenital alopecia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

MORE ABOUT CONGENIAL

What does congenial mean?

Congenial means friendly, pleasant, or agreeable. Someone who’s congenial is easy to get along with.

It’s especially used to describe people and their personalities, but it can also describe atmospheres marked by friendliness, as in a congenial workplace.

The noun congeniality refers to the quality of being congenial.

Less commonly, congenial can mean well suited or well matched, as in It’s a very congenial friendship—they share several interests. The word compatible is a close synonym of this sense of congenial.

Example: You won’t find a more congenial person than Jess—she has a kind word for everyone she meets.

Where does congenial come from?

The first records of the word congenial come from the 1600s. It’s essentially a combination of con-, meaning “same” or “together,” and genial, meaning “warmly and pleasantly cheerful,” from the Latin geniālis, “festive, jovial, pleasant.”

The words congenial and genial can be used as synonyms. Similar adjectives are affable, amiable, convivial, and cordial. A person who’s considered congenial usually isn’t just friendly and pleasant when they have to be or when it suits them—they’re friendly and pleasant all the time.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to congenial?

congeniality (noun)
congenially (adverb)

What are some synonyms for congenial?

What are some words that share a root or word element with congenial?

What are some words that often get used in discussing congenial?

How is congenial used in real life?

Congenial is always used in a positive way. It’s especially used to describe a friendly person’s personality or a friendly atmosphere.

‘You felt that the welcoming atmosphere of the Art Gallery of New South Wales was merely an extension of his infinitely congenial personality’ – Angus Trumble on the late Edmund Capon https://t.co/zzrVDwMkof

— Apollo Magazine (@Apollo_magazine) March 24, 2019

Local veteran Bob Baker retired earlier today from the Heritage Square Martin’s Supermarket. Known for his congenial personality and customer service, Baker served in World War II for four years at the age of 17 in Okinawa, Japan. @KDesaiWNDU was there. https://t.co/VV8uLKzz80

— WNDU (@WNDU) December 16, 2017

Research shows that happier employees make for improved collegiality as well as a more congenial workplace. https://t.co/lSUbAL2bDN

— Emma Seppälä, Ph.D. (@emmaseppala) February 28, 2016

Try using congenial!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of congenial?

A. affable

B. convivial

C. incompatible

D. genial

How to use congenial in a sentence

Last year’s upfront negotiations between TV networks and advertisers and their agencies were relatively congenial.
‘An anomaly year’: In this year’s TV upfront market, agency executives expect a return to business as usual|Tim Peterson|May 10, 2021|Digiday
Anderson runs the bar with “the same industrious, inventive and congenial spirit” as the founders of the town of Clements, the site says.
Bar owner charged with selling fake coronavirus vaccine cards in one of the first cases of its kind|Reis Thebault|May 7, 2021|Washington Post
It’s logical to expect the Taliban to push as far as they can from a position of strength and, if they succeed, to expect a geographical and societal milieu more congenial to terrorists whether the Taliban wishes it or not.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Reality of Afghanistan|Tracy Moran|April 28, 2021|Ozy
I found that serving under American officers was usually a lot more congenial than under Brits.
I Saw Nuclear Armageddon Sitting on My Desk|Clive Irving|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She herself represents a congenial mingling of English and Scottish blood.
Queen Victoria’s Secret Scottish Sex Castle|Clive Irving|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Initially, the congenial Enzi seemed to be blindsided by the Cheneys.
Mike Enzi Takes on Liz Cheney|Sandra McElwaine|October 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
America needs a strategy to adapt to the faltering strength of its most important and congenial allies.
America's European Allies Drop the Ball|David Frum|May 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
All the congenial things the three Democratic presidents said are true.
Bush’s Legacy, Obama’s Choice|Michael Tomasky|April 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This other by what seems a congenial activity, fascinating as a game of chess, acquires uncounted millions.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
The Marshal found himself in the congenial position of absolute ruler of the richest provinces of Spain.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
There he might yet live among men of his own race and degree, and of congenial beliefs and occupations.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
The Austrian campaign of 1809 called him from these congenial labours to the even more congenial operations of war.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
She, however, determined that no earthly power should induce her to marry him, unless she found in him a congenial spirit.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for congenial

congenial

/ (kənˈdʒiːnjəl, -nɪəl) /

adjective

friendly, pleasant, or agreeablea congenial atmosphere to work in

having a similar disposition, tastes, etc; compatible; sympathetic

Derived forms of congenial

congeniality (kənˌdʒiːnɪˈælɪtɪ) or congenialness, nouncongenially, adverb

Word Origin for congenial

C17: from con- (same) + genial 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

congenial

OTHER WORDS FOR congenial

OPPOSITES FOR congenial

Origin of congenial

OTHER WORDS FROM congenial

Words nearby congenial

MORE ABOUT CONGENIAL

What does congenial mean?

Where does congenial come from?

Did you know … ?

How is congenial used in real life?

Try using congenial!

Words related to congenial

How to use congenial in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for congenial

Derived forms of congenial

Word Origin for congenial