1
Core quality
Warm, friendly, sincere, and polite in manner or relations.
Example
The hosts offered a cordial welcome.
cordial
/ˈkɔːrdiəl/ · KOR-dee-uladjective
Warm, friendly, sincere, and polite in manner or relations.
Use cordial to express this relationship precisely: warm, friendly, sincere, and polite in manner or relations.
What cordial Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Despite disagreement, relations remained cordial.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
Their cordial exchange reduced the tension.
Use cordial Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The hosts offered a cordial welcome.
Despite disagreement, relations remained cordial.
Their cordial exchange reduced the tension.
Precision Matters
Cordial overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
cordial
vs.Means warm, friendly, sincere, and polite in manner or relations.
hostile
Means unfriendly, antagonistic, or openly opposed; harmful or unfavourable to something.
cordial
vs.Means warm, friendly, sincere, and polite in manner or relations.
caustic
Means able to burn or corrode; figuratively, sharply sarcastic, bitter, or cutting.
cordial
vs.Means warm, friendly, sincere, and polite in manner or relations.
belligerent
Means hostile, aggressive, and eager or ready to fight or argue.
cordial
vs.Means warm, friendly, sincere, and polite in manner or relations.
affable
Means friendly, good-natured, and easy to speak with.
Test cordial in Context
Their manner is warm, friendly, and courteous.
1
Although the negotiators disagreed, their conversation remained ___ and polite.