amiable

USAGE SUMMARY

"amiable" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a fond and friendly demeanor. For example: "Tom is an amiable person; I always enjoy spending time with him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Coppard, the amiable son of a former chief executive of Barnsley council, was once an office junior for another Sheffield MP, Meg Munn, and like many of the new Labour generation he loves American politics, having interned in Congress and worked on Obama's second presidential campaign.

The Guardian

Djalili stars as a proud muslim who accidentally discovers he is adopted – and was born Jewish – in this amiable farce penned by comedian David Baddiel.

The Guardian - Film

He was the terrifying thug Begbie in Trainspotting, the psychopathic Hillsborough survivor Albie in an award-winning, three-part episode of Cracker; he played Hamish, the amiable, hash-smoking slacker cop, in Hamish Macbeth and Gaz, the downtrodden former steelworker turned stripper in The Full Monty, which made him into an international star and changed his life irrevocably.

The Guardian - Film

Richard Needham, one of Thatcher's shrewdest and most amiable ministers at Stormont in the early 90s, once admitted that grand government-backed projects such as the creation of the Castlecourt shopping complex in Belfast were designed to give those in the heartlands of paramilitary violence a stake in their society.

The Guardian

Whether it's intentional or accidental, its gradual unbundling is not in the best interests of the people of the United Kingdom or any part of it.' Oh, a warning to those who might mistake Mr Ancram's amiable, consensual approach for a lack of low political cunning.

The Guardian

Room for improvement: The conmen were a lot less amiable in real life.

The Guardian - Film

Trim, soft-spoken, articulate, passionate and amiable, Satyarthi has kept a low profile.

The Guardian

They were amiable car thieves who dropped me at my door.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr Justice Michael Burton seems an amiable fellow: ruddy-faced and quick-witted, he is a specialist in commercial law and well known around the Inns of Court for his interest in amateur dramatics.

The Guardian

I had even remembered to use my wife's name, Morgan, as a subtle disguise to stop the amiable Barwick from immediately binning my 1,500 word essay on why we were the ideal candidates.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mathieu Amalric takes the directing prize for the amiable but flyweight Tournee.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "amiable" to describe someone who is generally friendly and pleasant in social interactions. It suggests a consistent disposition of kindness and goodwill.

Common error

Avoid using "amiable" interchangeably with words like "effusive" or "gregarious". "Amiable" emphasizes a gentle and pleasant nature, while "effusive" indicates demonstrative enthusiasm, and "gregarious" describes someone who enjoys company.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "amiable" is that of an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing their qualities, specifically relating to being friendly, kind, and pleasant. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage to depict character traits.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "amiable" is a versatile adjective used to describe someone who is friendly, kind, and of pleasant disposition. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. As shown in the numerous examples, "amiable" effectively conveys positive sentiment and is appropriate for both formal and informal communication. While synonyms like "friendly", "affable", and "genial" offer similar meanings, "amiable" emphasizes a consistently kind and good-natured demeanor. Therefore, using "amiable" accurately portrays individuals or situations as generally agreeable and easy to like.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

friendly

A more general term for being kind and welcoming.

affable

Emphasizes ease and graciousness in conversation.

genial

Highlights warmth and cheerfulness.

cordial

Suggests sincerity and warmth in interactions.

good-natured

Focuses on a consistently pleasant temperament.

agreeable

Implies a willingness to cooperate and please.

likable

Simple and direct, meaning easy to like.

pleasant

A broad term for causing enjoyment or satisfaction.

congenial

Indicates a shared sense of values and compatibility.

gracious

Emphasizes politeness and elegance in behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "amiable" in a sentence?

You can use "amiable" to describe someone's character or behavior, such as: "He was an amiable colleague, always ready to help" or "Her amiable personality made her popular among her peers".

What are some synonyms for "amiable"?

Some synonyms for "amiable" include "friendly", "affable", "genial", and "cordial". Each of these words carries a slightly different nuance but generally conveys a sense of being pleasant and agreeable.

Is it correct to describe an object as "amiable"?

While "amiable" primarily describes people, it can be metaphorically applied to objects that evoke a sense of comfort or friendliness. For example, "an amiable old armchair". However, this usage is less common.

What is the difference between "amiable" and "agreeable"?

"Amiable" describes someone's overall disposition as friendly and pleasant, whereas "agreeable" focuses more on their willingness to concur or cooperate. An amiable person is generally likeable, while an agreeable person is easy to negotiate with.