genial

[jeen-yuhl, jee-nee-uhl]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR genial ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

warmly and pleasantly cheerful; cordial: a genial disposition; a genial host.

favorable for life, growth, or comfort; pleasantly warm; comfortably mild: the genial climate of Hawaii.

characterized by genius.

Origin of genial

1560–70; < Latin geniālis festive, jovial, pleasant, equivalent to geni(us) tutelary deity, the spirit of social enjoyment + -ālis -al¹

Related formsgen·ial·ly, adverbge·ni·al·i·ty

[jee-nee-al-i-tee] /ˌdʒi niˈæl ɪ ti/, gen·ial·ness, nouno·ver·ge·ni·al·i·ty, noun

Synonyms for genial

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR genial ON THESAURUS.COM

1. friendly, hearty, pleasant, agreeable.

genial

[juh-nahy-uh l]

adjective Anatomy, Zoology.

of or relating to the chin.

Origin of genial

1825–35; < Greek génei(on) chin, derivative of gén(ys) jaw (compare Latin gena) + -al¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for genial

pleasant, amiable, easygoing, upbeat, sunny, jolly, cheerful, gentle, jovial, chipper, sociable, kindly, congenial, affable, gracious, cheery, convivial, good-natured, agreeable, amicable

Examples from the Web for genial

Contemporary Examples of genial

And finally, they meet Un (Randall Park), who appears to be nothing but genial and fun-loving—especially to Dave.
Sony’s ‘The Interview’: A Glorious, Patriotic, and Katy Perry-Filled Mess
Marlow Stern
December 24, 2014
All was jolly and genial between the king of late night and the pretender to the throne.
Stephen Colbert’s Groveling ‘Late Show’ Debut
Tom Shales
April 23, 2014
Some wandered in a genial trance wearing the faraway, slightly shell-shocked look of the recently colonically irrigated.
My Week At An Austrian Fat Camp
Owen Matthews
October 27, 2013
Hiddleston, a genial fellow, looks mighty dapper in a bespoke three-piece suit.
Tom Hiddleston On His Rocker-Vampire in ‘Only Lovers Left Alive,’ ‘Thor 2,’ and ‘Avengers 2’
Marlow Stern
September 7, 2013
It was a culture nibbling on the genial jingoism of Norman Vincent Peale and being made somewhat uncomfortable by Adlai Stevenson.
Why Elvis Presley Never Really Died
Larry Durstin
August 16, 2013

Historical Examples of genial

Mr. Roberts threw back his head and laughed,—a genial, hearty laugh.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
"Come in, Margaret, and put down your basket," said the colonel in a genial tone.
The Rock of Chickamauga
Joseph A. Altsheler
Reaching it, he paused, offering the hand of genial fellowship.
The Black Bag
Louis Joseph Vance
He invariably encouraged humour, this genial philanthropist.
The Slave Of The Lamp
Henry Seton Merriman
Before long it was roaring, and diffusing a genial warmth on all sides.
The Field of Ice
Jules Verne

British Dictionary definitions for genial

genial

adjective

cheerful, easy-going, and warm in manner or behaviour

pleasantly warm, so as to give life, growth, or healththe genial sunshine

Derived Formsgeniality (ˌdʒiːnɪˈælɪtɪ) or genialness, noungenially, adverb

Word Origin for genial

C16: from Latin geniālis relating to birth or marriage, from genius tutelary deity; see genius

genial

adjective

anatomy of or relating to the chin

Word Origin for genial

C19: from Greek geneion, from genus jaw

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

Word Origin and History for genial

adj.

1560s, "pertaining to marriage," from Latin genialis "pleasant, festive," literally "pertaining to marriage rites," from genius "guardian spirit" (see genius). Originally used in the Latin literal sense; meaning "cheerful, friendly" first recorded 1746. Related: Genially.

genial in Medicine

genial

[jĭ-nī′əl]

adj.

Of or relating to the chin.