congenial

adjective

con·​ge·​nial kən-ˈjē-nē-əl How to pronounce congenial (audio)
-ˈjēn-yəl
1
a
: pleasant
especially : agreeably suited to one's nature, tastes, or outlook
a congenial atmosphere
b
: sociable, genial
a congenial host
c
: existing or associated together harmoniously
2
: having the same nature, disposition, or tastes : kindred
congenial companions
congenially adverb

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The History of Congenial Is Spiritual

According to ancient mythology, each person at birth was assigned a guardian spirit. The Latin name for this attendant spirit was genius. Two people who get along well together can be thought of as sharing a similar spirit. They might even be described by a word combining the Latin prefix com- (meaning "with, together") and genius—in English congenial.

Examples of congenial in a Sentence

She moved on, leaving behind the world of politics for the more congenial sphere of the arts. Amy Fine Collins, Vanity Fair, March 2001
Jackson may walk up to home plate with the cool strut of a superstar, but off the field he is warm and congenial. Peter Gammons, Sports Illustrated, 12 June 1989
It turned out to be, for me, one of the most congenial and, in a way, lustrous gatherings that I have ever had in the White House. Lady Bird Johnson 4 May 1965, in A White House Diary1970
The town is a congenial place for raising children. We studied in the congenial atmosphere of the library. He found the work to be congenial. She was congenial and easygoing.
Recent Examples on the Web Much of the campaign mail has been positive, and interactions at candidate forums have been congenial, by and large. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The atmosphere of congenial efficiency is a far cry from the bullying made infamous in restaurant documentaries. Simeon Tegel, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2024 For much of this span, Gaza was renowned for its fruitful climate, congenial natives, and high quality of life. Jean-Pierre Filiu, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2024 Like many Black Americans, Bradley found postwar Europe more congenial than the United States. Michelle Orange, Harper's Magazine, 11 Dec. 2023 Common Ground Senate hearings can be adversarial, but the mood today was largely congenial. Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2024 These people are trying to scramble to drive the music until A. Philip Randolph, who is warm and congenial and evolved, erupts, and ends Adam Clayton Powell’s command of the moment. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2023 One OpenAI employee told Fortune in a message on X that the atmosphere among employees on Monday was congenial, using a heart emoji in response. Trey Williams, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023 But first, please, allow this sly, daring, genuinely congenial comic to talk his way into your theatrical life. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'congenial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

com- + genius

First Known Use

circa 1625, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of congenial was circa 1625

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Dictionary Entries Near congenial

Cite this Entry

“Congenial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congenial. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

congenial

adjective
con·​ge·​nial kən-ˈjē-nyəl How to pronounce congenial (audio)
1
: having the same disposition, interests, or tastes
2
: suited to one's nature or tastes : agreeable
congeniality
-ˌjē-nē-ˈal-ət-ē
-ˌjēn-ˈyal-
noun
congenially adverb

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