Meaning & use
cordial
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparableformal
Friendly and polite in a warm but fairly formal way.
Grammar: Can come before a noun or after a verb: a cordial welcome; the talks were cordial.
Patterns
- cordial to someone
- a cordial relationship with someone
The two leaders had a cordial meeting and shook hands warmly.
She gave us a cordial welcome at the door.
Relations between the neighbors remained cordial despite the dispute.
nouncountable or uncountableBritish
A sweet, fruit-flavored concentrate that is mixed with water to make a soft drink.
Grammar: Mostly British: a glass of lime cordial; the plural cordials is possible for different flavors.
Patterns
- a glass of cordial
- elderflower cordial
She poured some blackcurrant cordial into a tall glass of water.
Homemade elderflower cordial tastes wonderful over ice.
The children asked for orange cordial with their lunch.
nouncountable or uncountableAmericanold-fashioned
A strong, sweet alcoholic drink, often flavored with fruit or herbs; a liqueur.
Grammar: Chiefly American and now somewhat dated: a small glass of cordial.
Patterns
- a glass of cordial
After dinner the host offered a cherry cordial.
The shop sold herbal cordials in small bottles.
Word forms
| comparative | more cordial |
|---|---|
| superlative | most cordial |
| plural | cordials |
Common combinations
- cordial welcome
- The hotel staff gave us a cordial welcome.
- cordial relations
- The two countries kept cordial relations for decades.
- cordial atmosphere
- The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere.
- cordial invitation
- They received a cordial invitation to the opening.
- lime cordial
- He mixed lime cordial with sparkling water.
Synonyms and how they differ
- friendly
- Friendly is the everyday word and can suggest real closeness, while cordial suggests polite warmth that may stay formal.
- warm
- Warm stresses emotion and sincerity, whereas cordial is more restrained and suits business or diplomatic settings.
- genial
- Genial describes a naturally cheerful, easygoing person, while cordial describes the manner of an exchange.
- amiable
- Amiable focuses on a pleasant, likable nature, whereas cordial points to courteous behavior toward others.
Opposites
Word family
- cordially adverb
- in a warm and polite way
- cordiality noun
- warm and polite friendliness
- uncordial adjective
- not friendly; cool in manner
Commonly confused: cordial or cardinal?
cordial vs cardinal
Cardinal means chief or most important, and is also a bird and a church officer. It is unrelated to cordial despite the similar look.
Practice
The two rival managers were not close friends, but their meeting was perfectly ___.
Choose one answer.
Cordial means politely friendly, which suits rivals who stay courteous. Hostile would mean openly unfriendly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cordial”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.