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genial¹ Definition

gen·ial (jēnyəl, jēnē əl)

adjective

  1. Obsolete of marriage or procreation
  2. promoting life and growth; pleasantly warm, mild, and healthful a genial climate
  3. cheerful, friendly, and sympathetic; amiable
  4. Rare of or characterized by genius

Etymology: L genialis, of generation or birth < genius, guardian deity: see genius

genial¹ Related Forms

ge′·ni·al·ity (jē′nē alə tē) noun geni·ally adverb

genial² Definition

ge·nial (jē nīəl)

adjective

having to do with the chin

Etymology: < Gr geneion, a chin (< genys, a jaw: see chin) + -al

genial Synonyms

genial

modif.

  1. Friendly

    cordial, affable, cheerful, warmhearted; see amiable, friendly 1.

  2. Pleasant or favorable; said of the weather, surroundings, etc.

    warm, agreeable, cheering, cheerful; see fair 3, mild 2, pleasant 2. See syn. study at amiable.

genial Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • warmth: Before long it was roaring, and diffusing a genial warmth on all sides.
  • host: Jeremy revealed hidden talents in moderating the panel like the genial host.
  • smile: Glimpse the whiskey priest, sealed in the bottle preserving a genial smile.
  • personality: His warm, genial personality is in direct proportion, too.
  • climate: Happily the want of glass was not much felt in the genial climate of the country.
  • man: He is a big genial man with a wide smile.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: At that time, looking after the tennis courts was a very genial character.
  • so: The Duke of Cambridge, usually so genial, was now strangely reserved.
  • exceedingly: Mr. Pond had borne an excellent reputation as an astute and honorable business man, successful politician and an exceedingly genial companion.
  • otherwise: For his own education, perhaps, the otherwise genial and lovely Bardem needs to reach for the high-heels as soon as possible.
  • extremely: It has the feel of the incredibly grand, but extremely genial and generous aristocrat.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: Pill, the presiding judge, seems more genial than ever.
  • become: And still the warmth seemed to increase and to become more genial.