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

Did you know?

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Likewise, threats of tariffs as tantrums may start to accumulate blowback, if our traditional allies start to believe that our adversaries are more congenial diplomatic partners. Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 While Trump has enjoyed a congenial relationship with Modi in the past, he’s also accused India of being a tariff abuser. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019 Populist figures, already emboldened by a tidal wave of anti-establishment electoral sentiment, have found a congenial reception in Trump’s orbit. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025 Still, perhaps out of expediency or perhaps because Trump’s eldest son dated the Governor’s ex-wife and former San Fran First Lady Kimberly Guilfoyle for many years, the two men had a few congenial moments. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for congenial 

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 22 Feb. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on congenial

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