gregarious

American  

[gri-gair-ee-uhs] / grɪˈgɛər i əs /

adjective

1. fond of the company of others; sociable.

   Synonyms:

   extrovert, friendly, companionable, convivial, outgoing, genial, social

2. living in flocks or herds, as animals.

3. Botany. growing in open clusters or colonies; not matted together.

4. pertaining to a flock or crowd.

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gregarious British  

/ ɡrɪˈɡɛərɪəs /

adjective

1. enjoying the company of others

2. (of animals) living together in herds or flocks Compare solitary

3. (of plants) growing close together but not in dense clusters

4. of, relating to, or characteristic of crowds or communities

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Other Word Forms

• gregariously adverb
• gregariousness noun
• nongregarious adjective
• nongregariously adverb
• nongregariousness noun
• ungregarious adjective
• ungregariously adverb
• ungregariousness noun

Etymology

Origin of gregarious

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin gregārius “belonging to a flock,” from greg- (stem of grex ) “crowd, flock, herd” + -ārius -ary ( def. )

Explanation

If you know someone who's outgoing, sociable, and fond of the company of others, you might want to call her gregarious. The word was originally used to describe animals that live in flocks — it's from the Latin word grex, meaning "herd." Not surprisingly, people began using it to describe humans who liked being in groups. Today biologists still speak of gregarious species, but you're more likely to hear it in reference to people. Despite what you might suspect, it has no historical connection to the name Gregory — but if you know an outgoing fellow with that name, you could call him Greg-arious.

Example Sentences

Paul was “one of the most gregarious playboys in New York City,” according to biographer Frank Brady, author of “The Publisher,” and Paul and William Randolph Hearst were regulars at New York nightclubs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The gregarious Bowe has been a star in the small speedskating world since she set her first world record in 2013.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

Henry's "very gregarious" nature enlivened the darker days of last winter in the workshop.

From BBC • Dec. 24, 2025

According to friends and family, Vinit was a gregarious person who liked to explore the world and had many friends.

From Slate • Dec. 8, 2025

I discovered a lively and gregarious group of people who did not seem to pay attention to color at all.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• affable
• sociable