genial

¹

[jeen-yuhl, jee-nee-uhl]

adjective

1. warmly and pleasantly cheerful; cordial.

   a genial disposition;

   a genial host.

   Synonyms: agreeable, pleasant, hearty, friendly

2. favorable for life, growth, or comfort; pleasantly warm; comfortably mild.

   the genial climate of Hawaii.

3. characterized by genius.

genial

²

[juh-nahy-uhl]

adjective

Anatomy, Zoology.

1. of or relating to the chin.

genial

¹

/ ˈdʒiːnjəl, -nɪəl, ˌdʒiːnɪˈælɪtɪ /

adjective

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

2. pleasantly warm, so as to give life, growth, or health

   the genial sunshine

genial

²

/ dʒɪˈniːəl /

adjective

1. anatomy of or relating to the chin

Other Word Forms

• genially adverb
• geniality noun
• genialness noun

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of genial¹

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

Origin of genial²

C19: from Greek geneion, from genus jaw

Example Sentences

Acquaintances describe Martin’s demeanor as extraordinarily genial; he smiled constantly and offered his diagnoses in a straightforward, unflappable drawl.

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How has he gotten away with this, while maintaining his reputation as a genial institutionalist?

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But these psychic wounds didn’t make Candy a cruel or nasty person; he simply absorbed the hurt and redoubled his efforts to be a genial performer.

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In matches, Mark’s genial nature can surprise his opponents.

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The humor, at once simple and clever, innocent and off-color, amiably wants to get a rise, and Horn isn’t too proud to go low in his genial wordplay.

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Related Words

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