good-natured

adjective

good-na·​tured ˈgu̇d-ˈnā-chərd 

: of a pleasant and cooperative disposition

good-naturedly adverb

good-naturedness noun

Synonyms

• affable
• agreeable
• amiable
• genial
• good-tempered
• gracious
• mellow
• nice
• pleasant
• sweet
• well-disposed

Choose the Right Synonym for good-natured

amiable, good-natured, obliging, complaisant mean having the desire or disposition to please.

amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with.

an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon.

a good-natured girl who was always willing to pitch in

obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful.

our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room

complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness.

was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

Examples of good-natured in a Sentence

the guests at the party were a good-natured bunch

Recent Examples on the Web

The comedy centers on Ashley (Arjona), who has asked for a divorce from good-natured Carey (Marvin), who then runs to his friends Julie (Johnson) and Paul (Covino) for support. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024

David Arquette, cast as good-natured if ineffectual deputy Dewey, met Courteney Cox at the first read. —Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Full of vibrant color and good-natured humor, this entertaining sci-fi hybrid holds up — even if the fashions don't. —Katie Rife, EW.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Her appearances became so frequent, and the pair's good-natured bickering so convincing, that for a time rumors cropped up that they were romantically involved. —CBS News, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

good-natured

adjective

good-na·​tured

ˈgu̇d-ˈnā-chərd

: of a pleasant cheerful disposition

good-naturedly adverb

good-naturedness noun