cordial

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cordial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is warm, friendly and polite in tone. For example, you could say "The two business associates had an extremely cordial meeting".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Per serving: 60ml Bombay Sapphire gin 50ml rhubarb cordial 200ml tonic water Pour five or six servings' worth of gin and cordial into a big jug and refrigerate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Make your own rhubarb cordial – put 400-450g rhubarb, 250g sugar, the juice of half a lemon and 500ml water in a pan, bring to a boil, simmer until the rhubarb has disintegrated, then cool, strain through muslin into a jug (it will take a few hours to drip through) and refrigerate; or buy a decent commercial brand.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Nigeria shares very cordial relations with Equatorial Guinea".

The Guardian

Gove described the discussions as "cordial and constructive".

The Guardian

It doesn't mean that anyone is obliged to forgive people who abuse them, or even that I plan on being cordial and compassionate to every teenage boy who tells me I'm too fat to get raped (sorry in advance, boys: I still bite).

The Guardian

Qatar, like Oman, has cordial ties with Iran.

The Guardian

As it happens, the Blairs are especially cordial to the new Mrs Murdoch – in the face of much hostility from the rest of the Murdoch family and empire.

The Guardian - Opinion

New culture secretary John Whittingdale, who has already had a cordial meeting with Channel 4's chiefs, has a questioning stance towards public service broadcasting and there have been sporadic flirtations with privatising it.

The Guardian

8 ice-cream scoops lemon sorbet 200ml sparkling elderflower (or cordial mixed with sparkling water) Mint, lemon balm or elderflower blossom, to serve Put the sorbet in a tall jug, add three-quarters of the sparkling elderflower and whisk by hand until you have a thick, slushy ice.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Through this narrow hole, 9cm wide and 8 metres long, cordial 'hullos' were exchanged between the two teams.

The Guardian

It was cordial.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cordial" to describe interactions or relationships where a sense of warmth and politeness is desired, such as in business negotiations or diplomatic settings. It conveys a sense of genuine goodwill.

Common error

Avoid using "cordial" in very informal or casual settings, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more relaxed terms like "friendly" or "nice" in everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The word "cordial" primarily functions as an adjective, describing a manner or relationship characterized by warmth, friendliness, and sincerity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it conveys a sense of genuine goodwill in interactions. It can also function as a noun, referring to a drink or liqueur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

23%

Lifestyle

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "cordial" is a versatile term used to describe interactions or relationships characterized by warmth and friendliness, with Ludwig AI confirming its correct usage in English. Primarily functioning as an adjective, it conveys a sense of genuine goodwill and is often found in news and formal business contexts. While synonyms like "amiable" and "affable" offer similar meanings, "cordial" strikes a balance between formality and genuine warmth. Remember to avoid overusing it in casual settings where simpler terms like "friendly" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amiable

Describes a friendly and pleasant manner, similar to "cordial", but emphasizes ease of interaction.

affable

Suggests a warm and approachable demeanor, closely related to "cordial" in meaning.

genial

Implies a cheerful and good-natured disposition, sharing the sense of warmth with "cordial".

friendly

A more general term for showing kindness and goodwill, similar to "cordial" but less formal.

warm-hearted

Emphasizes the emotional sincerity behind friendliness, akin to the heartfelt aspect of "cordial".

gracious

Highlights politeness and courtesy, sharing the aspect of refined friendliness with "cordial".

agreeable

Focuses on the willingness to agree and cooperate, somewhat overlapping with the harmonious implications of "cordial".

amicable

Describes a relationship characterized by friendliness and goodwill, similar to the relational aspect of "cordial".

sincere

Emphasizes the genuineness and honesty of feelings, akin to the heartfelt nature of "cordial".

heartfelt

Stresses the depth and authenticity of emotion, sharing the sense of genuine warmth with "cordial".

FAQs

How can I use "cordial" in a sentence?

You can use "cordial" to describe a warm and friendly relationship or interaction. For example, "The meeting was "cordial" and productive" or "They maintain "cordial" relations with their neighbors".

What are some synonyms for "cordial"?

Some synonyms for "cordial" include "amiable", "affable", "genial", and "friendly". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "cordial" formal or informal?

"Cordial" is generally considered a moderately formal term. While appropriate in many professional and diplomatic contexts, it may sound slightly out of place in very casual settings. Terms like "friendly" are suitable for less formal situations.

What's the difference between "cordial" and "amicable"?

While both "cordial" and "amicable" describe positive relationships, "cordial" emphasizes warmth and sincerity, while "amicable" stresses peacefulness and a lack of conflict. You might describe a meeting as "cordial" to highlight its friendly tone or as "amicable" to emphasize that it was free of disagreements.