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

He was a stout man of genial, hearty manner, and it seemed to Trinkmann that he could discern on the fur overcoat an imaginary inscription reading: "Macht's euch gemütlich hier."

From The Competitive Nephew by Glass, Montague