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

According to festival founder Lee Schrager, the move makes sense: the consistent popularity of competitive television shows there’s an appetite for good-natured rivalries. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2025

In the 2016 version, Doug goes from fish out of water to a good-natured, neighborly type who manages to find common ground with others on the game show. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2025

In a bit of good-natured trash talking, the Kansas City Star and the Inquirer decided to see which team has the supreme sense of style. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2025

That’s a snapshot of what the first week of February resembles for Hill — trading a few good-natured barbs on social media. —Kansas City Star, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025

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