Meaning & use
sociably
Last updated
UK/ˈsəʊʃəbli/
US/ˈsoʊʃəbli/
Meaning
adverbnot comparable
In a friendly, easy way that shows you enjoy being with other people.
Grammar: Describes how someone acts, and often follows a verb: chatted sociably.
Patterns
- chat sociably
- behave sociably
The neighbors chatted sociably over the fence.
He sat down sociably with the new students at lunch.
They behaved sociably throughout the long dinner.
Common combinations
- chat sociably
- The guests chatted sociably until midnight.
- smile sociably
- She smiled sociably at the stranger.
- eat sociably
- The family eats sociably around one large table.
- nod sociably
- He nodded sociably and moved on.
- drink sociably
- They drank sociably, never to excess.
Synonyms and how they differ
- amiably
- It stresses a pleasant, good-natured manner, while sociably stresses enjoying company.
- companionably
- It suggests a quiet ease between people who know each other well.
- affably
- It is more formal and describes a polite, easygoing manner toward others.
- cordially
- It is warmer and more formal, often used for greetings.
Opposites
unsociablyaloofly
Word family
- sociable adjective
- enjoying other people's company
- sociability noun
- the quality of being friendly in company
- social adjective
- relating to society or company
- unsociable adjective
- not liking company
- socialize verb
- to spend time with others
Commonly confused: sociably or socially?
sociably vs socially
Socially means in relation to society or social life, while sociably means in a friendly way.
Practice
At the party, Leo ____ talked with everyone he met.
Choose one answer.
Sociably is an adverb describing how Leo talked. Sociable is an adjective, and socially has a different meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sociably”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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