gregarious
adjective
gre·gar·i·ous
gri-ˈger-ē-əs 
1
2
a
of a plant
: growing in a cluster or a colony
b
: living in contiguous nests but not forming a true colony
—used especially of wasps and bees
gregariously
adverb
gregariousness
noun
Did you know?
When you're one of the herd, it's tough to avoid being social. The origin of gregarious is from the Latin noun grex, meaning "herd" or "flock." When it first began appearing in English texts in the 17th century, gregarious was applied mainly to animals, but by the 18th century it was being used for social human beings as well.
Synonyms
Examples of gregarious in a Sentence
[J.P.] Morgan was attracted to bright, self-possessed women who met him on his own ground, felt at home in society, and shared his gregarious instincts and sybaritic tastes.
—
Jean Strouse, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 1999
… the gregarious trade unionist whose back-slapping mateyness helped make him Australia's most popular politician.
—Time, 3 Apr. 1989
As it is a night of many parties, the more social, the more gregarious, the more invited of the guests are wondering whether to go to Harley Street first, or whether to arrive there later, after sampling other offerings.
—Margaret Drabble, Harper's, July 1987
She is outgoing and gregarious.
a gregarious child who ran up to every person on the playground and wanted to be their friend
Jean Strouse, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 1999
… the gregarious trade unionist whose back-slapping mateyness helped make him Australia's most popular politician.
—Time, 3 Apr. 1989
As it is a night of many parties, the more social, the more gregarious, the more invited of the guests are wondering whether to go to Harley Street first, or whether to arrive there later, after sampling other offerings.
—Margaret Drabble, Harper's, July 1987
She is outgoing and gregarious.
a gregarious child who ran up to every person on the playground and wanted to be their friend
Recent Examples on the Web
Alonso’s gregarious personality and philanthropic spirit have left an endearing impression upon New York sports fans.
—Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Founded by Álvaro de la Viña, a gregarious entrepreneur from Spain, and his wife, the company began leading trips as a way for connoisseurs to meet some of Spain’s top natural vintners.
—Megan Lloyd, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024
Though it’s become synonymous with holiday cheer, Capra’s film works because of its willingness to go to some dark places, and because of Stewart’s ability to play a gregarious goof one moment and a man whose world comes crashing down the next.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
Much of that episode, from the opening monologue to appearing in several sketches, showcased Kelce’s gregarious personality and comedic timing, so much that movie and TV producers were impressed and intrigued.
—Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gregarious 
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.
Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Founded by Álvaro de la Viña, a gregarious entrepreneur from Spain, and his wife, the company began leading trips as a way for connoisseurs to meet some of Spain’s top natural vintners.
—Megan Lloyd, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024
Though it’s become synonymous with holiday cheer, Capra’s film works because of its willingness to go to some dark places, and because of Stewart’s ability to play a gregarious goof one moment and a man whose world comes crashing down the next.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
Much of that episode, from the opening monologue to appearing in several sketches, showcased Kelce’s gregarious personality and comedic timing, so much that movie and TV producers were impressed and intrigued.
—Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gregarious
Dictionary Entries Near gregarious
Cite this Entry
“Gregarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gregarious. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gregarious
adjective
gre·gar·i·ous
gri-ˈgar-ē-əs
-ˈger-
1
: tending to associate with others of one's kind : social
also
: tending to live in a flock, herd, or community rather than alone
gregarious birds
2
: marked by a liking for companionship : sociable
gregariously
adverb
gregariousness
noun
Etymology
from Latin gregarius "relating to a herd or flock," from greg-, grex "flock, herd" — related to congregate
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share