congenial

[ kuhn-jeen-yuhl ]

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.

Origin of congenial

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

Other words for congenial

1	agreeable, enjoyable, favorable, pleasant, pleasing, satisfying; complaisant
2	harmonious, kindred, sympathetic, united

See synonyms for congenial on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for congenial

1	disagreeable

See antonyms for congenial on Thesaurus.com

Other words from congenial

con·ge·ni·al·i·ty [kuhn-jee-nee-al-i-tee], /kənˌdʒi niˈæl ɪ ti/, 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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use congenial in a sentence

Every few years, certain lawmakers demanded that the seat of government move somewhere more congenial.
In 1814, British forces burned the U.S. Capitol | Joel Achenbach | January 6, 2021 | Washington Post
Cutting abruptly through the noise, I heard a congenially familiar sound: the squeaky voice of Freddy Catesby.
Life Imitates Patriots: Inaugural Version | David Frum | January 20, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Happily unconscious of any dark conspiracies against her welfare, Marjories last night at the Hall was congenially spent.
Marjorie Dean College Freshman | Pauline Lester
He reached his destination without remark, and found it congenially dreary.
What Will People Say? | Rupert Hughes
He sells his farm, packs up his goods and cash in his waggon, and starts for regions more congenially wild.
The Last Boer War | H. Rider Haggard

There is plenty of room for his hat, there is a congenially aggressive spirit against Rome and it slightly irritates Ma.
A Student in Arms | Donald Hankey
What could have been more congenially adapted to their then woful condition?
The Works of Whittier, Volume III (of VII) | John Greenleaf Whittier

British Dictionary definitions for congenial

congenial

/ (kənˈdʒiːnjəl, -nɪəl) /

adjective

friendly, pleasant, or agreeable: a congenial atmosphere to work in
having a similar disposition, tastes, etc; compatible; sympathetic

Origin of congenial

C17: from con- (same) + genial 1

Derived forms of congenial

congeniality (kənˌdʒiːnɪˈælɪtɪ) or congenialness, noun
congenially, adverb

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

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