congenial
Americanadjective
-
agreeable, suitable, or pleasing in nature or character.
congenial surroundings.
- Synonyms:
- united, sympathetic, kindred, harmonious, complaisant, pleasing, pleasant, pleasant, favorable, enjoyable, agreeable
- Antonyms:
- disagreeable
-
suited or adapted in spirit, feeling, temper, etc.; compatible.
a congenial couple.
adjective
-
friendly, pleasant, or agreeable
a congenial atmosphere to work in
-
having a similar disposition, tastes, etc; compatible; sympathetic
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
- congeniality noun
- congenially adverb
- congenialness noun
- precongenial adjective
- quasi-congenial adjective
- quasi-congenially adverb
- uncongenial adjective
- uncongenially adverb
Etymology
Origin of congenial
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin con- con- + geni(us) genius + -al 1
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.
I took a job in human resources and I thought that would be a little more congenial, but gradually I started to realize I’m in the wrong place.
From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026
But the two politicians had a congenial meeting at the White House in late November, with the president saying he was optimistic about New York’s future.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026
Sir John said the world was changing and "may not be reshaping in a way that is congenial to the West".
From BBC • Feb. 16, 2025
Basic common sense dictates that chill, congenial workplaces are better for morale and productivity.
From Salon • Jan. 17, 2025
“I guess it wouldn’t be very congenial of me not to go. Will you come, too? I want to have one friend.”
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
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.
