Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Sincerely or intensely felt: Describes feelings or attitudes that are genuine, heartfelt, and deeply held.
   • Politely warm and friendly: Describes a manner or behavior that is welcoming, kind, and pleasant, though often in a formal or polite context.
   • Diffusing warmth and friendliness: Describes something (like a greeting, atmosphere, or person) that creates a feeling of warmth and amiability.

2. Noun:

   • A strong, highly flavored sweet liquor usually drunk after a meal: A type of aromatic, sweetened alcoholic beverage, often fruit-flavored, traditionally served as a digestif.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She gave her former rival a cordial welcome. (Her welcome was polite and warm.)
  • Despite their differences, they maintained cordial relations. (Their relationship was characterized by polite friendliness.)
  • He felt a cordial dislike for the proposed policy. (His dislike was sincere and strong.)

• Noun:

  • After dinner, they served a cherry cordial in small glasses. (They served a sweet cherry-flavored liqueur.)
  • The host offered his guests a selection of cordials. (He offered various sweet, strong liqueurs.)

Advanced Usage

• "Cordial agreement": An agreement made in a friendly and cooperative spirit, though not necessarily with deep personal affection.

  • The meeting ended with a cordial agreement to continue discussions.

• "Cordial to the point of formality": Describes behavior that is friendly but restrained by strict politeness, lacking genuine warmth.

  • Their conversation was cordial to the point of formality, never touching on personal matters.

Variants and Related Words

• Cordiality (n): The quality of being cordial; warm, sincere friendliness.

  • The cordiality of the hosts made everyone feel at ease.

• Cordially (adv): In a cordial manner.

  • You are cordially invited to the ceremony.

Synonyms

• Adjective (warm/friendly): Amiable, affable, genial, warm-hearted.
• Adjective (sincere): Heartfelt, earnest, genuine.
• Noun (liquor): Liqueur, digestif.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Hostile, unfriendly, cold, insincere.

Related Phrases

• "Less than cordial": A polite way to describe an interaction that was unfriendly or cold.

  • Their reception at the office was less than cordial.

• "Exchange cordialities": To exchange polite and friendly remarks or greetings.

  • The diplomats exchanged cordialities before beginning the difficult negotiations.

Adjective

1. sincerely or intensely felt
   • a cordial regard for his visitor's comfort
   • a cordial abhorrence of waste
2. politely warm and friendly
   • a cordial handshake
3. diffusing warmth and friendliness
   • an affable smile
   • an amiable gathering
   • cordial relations
   • a cordial greeting
   • a genial host

Noun

1. strong highly flavored sweet liquor usually drunk after a meal