genial

¹

[jeen-yuhl, jee-nee-uhl]

adjective

1. warmly and pleasantly cheerful; cordial.

   a genial disposition;

   a genial host.

   Synonyms: agreeable, pleasant, hearty, friendly

2. favorable for life, growth, or comfort; pleasantly warm; comfortably mild.

   the genial climate of Hawaii.

3. characterized by genius.

genial

²

[juh-nahy-uhl]

adjective

Anatomy, Zoology.

1. of or relating to the chin.

genial

¹

/ ˈdʒiːnjəl, -nɪəl, ˌdʒiːnɪˈælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. cheerful, easy-going, and warm in manner or behaviour

2. pleasantly warm, so as to give life, growth, or health

   the genial sunshine

genial

²

/ dʒɪˈniːəl /

adjective

1. anatomy of or relating to the chin

Other Word Forms

• genially adverb
• geniality noun
• genialness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of genial¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin geniālis “festive, jovial, pleasant,” equivalent to geni(us), a tutelary deity, the spirit of social enjoyment + -ālis -al ¹; genius ( def. )

Origin of genial²

1825–35; < Greek génei ( on ) chin, derivative of gén ( ys ) jaw (compare Latin gena ) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of genial¹

C16: from Latin geniālis relating to birth or marriage, from genius tutelary deity; see _genius

Origin of genial²

C19: from Greek geneion, from genus jaw

Example Sentences

The humor, at once simple and clever, innocent and off-color, amiably wants to get a rise, and Horn isn’t too proud to go low in his genial wordplay.

From Los Angeles Times

A more genial invisible presence, he is also a good deal more gentle than the Austrian Nobel Prize winner.

From Los Angeles Times

The genial, dapper TV host with the gleaming smile and perfectly coiffed hair had hosted two local TV game shows in L.A. before going national with “What’s This Song?”

From Los Angeles Times

Hackman enters with a genial familiarity only to make it very clear that the Klan will underestimate him at its peril.

From Los Angeles Times

The genial tone devolved into acrimony and chaos.

From BBC

Related Words

• affable 
• amiable 
• cheerful 
• cheery 
• chipper 
• congenial 
• convivial 
• easygoing 
• gentle 
• good-natured 
• gracious 
• jolly 
• jovial 
• kindly 
• pleasant 
• sociable 
• sunny 
• upbeat