Word of the Day

: September 9, 2007

convivial

adjective kun-VIV-ee-ul

What It Means

: relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking, and good company

convivial in Context

Ellen and Kevin's dinner parties are always relaxed, convivial events, with good food in abundance, and wine and conversation both flowing freely.

Did You Know?

"Convivial" traces to "convivium," a Latin word meaning "banquet," and tends to suggest a mood of full-bellied joviality. Charles Dickens aptly captures that sense in his novel David Copperfield: "We had a beautiful little dinner. Quite an elegant dish of fish; the kidney-end of a loin of veal, roasted; fried sausage-meat; a partridge, and a pudding. There was wine, and there was strong ale.... Mr. Micawber was uncommonly convivial. I never saw him such good company. He made his face shine with the punch, so that it looked as if it had been varnished all over. He got cheerfully sentimental about the town, and proposed success to it."