genial

1
[ jeen-yuhl, jee-nee-uhl ]
See synonyms for: genialgenialitygeniallygenialness on Thesaurus.com

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

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

  1. characterized by genius.

Origin of genial

1
First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin geniālis “festive, jovial, pleasant,” equivalent to geni(us), a tutelary deity, the spirit of social enjoyment + -ālis -al1;see genius

Other words for genial

Other words from genial

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

Words Nearby genial

Other definitions for genial (2 of 2)

genial2
[ juh-nahy-uhl ]

adjectiveAnatomy, Zoology.
  1. of or relating to the chin.

Origin of genial

2
1825–35; <Greek génei(on) chin, derivative of gén(ys) jaw (compare Latin gena) + -al1

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How to use genial in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for genial (1 of 2)

genial1

/ (ˈdʒiːnjəl, -nɪəl) /


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

Origin of genial

1
C16: from Latin geniālis relating to birth or marriage, from genius tutelary deity; see genius

Derived forms of genial

  • geniality (ˌdʒiːnɪˈælɪtɪ) or genialness, noun
  • genially, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for genial (2 of 2)

genial2

/ (dʒɪˈniːəl) /


adjective
  1. anatomy of or relating to the chin

Origin of genial

2
C19: from Greek geneion, from genus jaw

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