genial
1 Americanadjective
adjective
-
cheerful, easy-going, and warm in manner or behaviour
-
pleasantly warm, so as to give life, growth, or health
the genial sunshine
adjective
Other Word Forms
- geniality noun
- genially adverb
- genialness noun
Etymology
Origin of genial1
First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin geniālis “festive, jovial, pleasant,” equivalent to geni(us), a tutelary deity, the spirit of social enjoyment + -ālis -al 1; genius ( def. )
Origin of genial2
1825–35; < Greek génei ( on ) chin, derivative of gén ( ys ) jaw (compare Latin gena ) + -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.
How did the genial celebrity psychologist’s media network crash?
From Los Angeles Times
The Sweet Southern Stammer was David Lewis, a genial Republican House member from rural North Carolina with a speech impediment and an uncommon mastery of election law.
From Salon
His genial, carefree attitude—“I’m not dead,” he insists, though context suggests otherwise—is meant to provide some lightness to contrast with Scarlet’s frenzied dedication, but neither character is especially compelling.
Acquaintances describe Martin’s demeanor as extraordinarily genial; he smiled constantly and offered his diagnoses in a straightforward, unflappable drawl.
How has he gotten away with this, while maintaining his reputation as a genial institutionalist?
From Salon
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.
