congenial

[ kuhn-jeen-yuhl ]

adjective

1. agreeable, suitable, or pleasing in nature or character:

   congenial surroundings.

   Synonyms: united, sympathetic, kindred, harmonious, complaisant, pleasing, pleasant, favorable, enjoyable, agreeable

   Antonyms: disagreeable

2. suited or adapted in spirit, feeling, temper, etc.; compatible:

   a congenial couple.

congenial

/ kənˌdʒiːnɪˈælɪtɪ; -nɪəl; kənˈdʒiːnjəl /

adjective

1. friendly, pleasant, or agreeable

   a congenial atmosphere to work in

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

Derived Forms

• congeniality, noun
• conˈgenially, adverb

Other Words From

• con·ge·ni·al·i·ty [k, uh, n-jee-nee-, al, -i-tee], con·gen·ial·ness noun
• con·gen·ial·ly adverb
• pre·con·gen·ial adjective
• qua·si-con·gen·ial adjective
• qua·si-con·gen·ial·ly adverb
• un·con·gen·ial adjective
• un·con·gen·ial·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of congenial¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin con- con- + geni(us) genius + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of congenial¹

C17: from con- (same) + genial ¹

Example Sentences

This is a judicial choice to identify a set of congenial values and insist that they are inscribed in our highest law.

From Time

Last year’s upfront negotiations between TV networks and advertisers and their agencies were relatively congenial.

From Digiday

Anderson runs the bar with “the same industrious, inventive and congenial spirit” as the founders of the town of Clements, the site says.

From 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.

From Ozy

I found that serving under American officers was usually a lot more congenial than under Brits.

From The Daily Beast

She herself represents a congenial mingling of English and Scottish blood.

From The Daily Beast

Initially, the congenial Enzi seemed to be blindsided by the Cheneys.

From The Daily Beast

America needs a strategy to adapt to the faltering strength of its most important and congenial allies.

From The Daily Beast

All the congenial things the three Democratic presidents said are true.

From The Daily Beast

This other by what seems a congenial activity, fascinating as a game of chess, acquires uncounted millions.

From Project Gutenberg

The Marshal found himself in the congenial position of absolute ruler of the richest provinces of Spain.

From Project Gutenberg

There he might yet live among men of his own race and degree, and of congenial beliefs and occupations.

From Project Gutenberg

The Austrian campaign of 1809 called him from these congenial labours to the even more congenial operations of war.

From Project Gutenberg

She, however, determined that no earthly power should induce her to marry him, unless she found in him a congenial spirit.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• affable
• agreeable
• convivial
• cordial
• favorable
• genial
• gracious
• harmonious
• jovial
• mellow
• pleasant
• pleasing
• sociable
• sympathetic

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?

• friendly
• agreeable
• pleasant
• genial
• affable
• convivial
• amiable
• cordial

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

• genial
• genius

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

• agreeability
• friendliness
• pleasantness
• cordiality
• nice
• warm

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