gemütlich

American  

[guh-moot-lik, -moot-, guh-myt-likh] / gəˈmut lɪk, -ˈmʊt-, gəˈmüt lɪx /

Or gemuetlich

adjective

1. comfortable and pleasant; cozy.

   Synonyms:

   pleasant, comfortable, agreeable

2. friendly; easygoing.

   Synonyms:

   relaxed, approachable, affable, amiable

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gemütlich British  

/ ɡəˈmyːtlɪç /

adjective

1. having a feeling or atmosphere of warmth and friendliness; cosy

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Etymology

Origin of gemütlich

First recorded in 1850–55; from German; late Middle High German gemüetlich, equivalent to gemüet(e) ( German Gemüt ) “mind, mentality” (collective derivative of mut, Old High German muot “courage, spirit”; see mood ¹) + -lich -ly

Explanation

Gemutlich refers to a feeling of comfort, warmth, and well-being. Think of a warm, cozy living room with a blanket on the couch or a dinner party with good friends. Gemutlich is from the German word Gemüt, which means "feelings, mind, heart, or soul." The -lich part is an adjective ending similar to English -ly as in friendly. Something that is gemutlich is good for the heart. It makes you feel content and comfortable inside, like you belong in this place. You can also describe a person or their personality this way, meaning they're friendly, cheerful, or easy to get along with.

Example Sentences

The production, spryly directed by Barry Heins, takes place on a gemütlich set by Evan A. Bartoletti that looks like Vermont through a Laura Ashley filter.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 24, 2023

The Germans call it gemütlich, the Dutch, gezelligheid.

From The Guardian • Sep. 4, 2016

Every summer, New York’s Public Theatre puts on a fund-raising event in Central Park that is modest, stellar, and gemütlich.

From The New Yorker • Jan. 18, 2015

Germany, Austria, and Switzerland have gemütlich, which translates to “comfortably homey.”

From Time • Jan. 13, 2015

"Certainly, I am always trying to keep my place gemütlich, Mr. Maikafer," Trinkmann declared, "but when you got waiters, Mr. Maikafer, which they——" "Waiters ain't got nothing to do with it, Trinkmann," Max interrupted.

From The Competitive Nephew by Glass, Montague