welcoming

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'welcoming' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a friendly, hospitable atmosphere. For example: The hosts made us feel very welcome with their warm and welcoming hospitality.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The phrase was first used by the prefect of the Seine, comte de Chabrol de Volvic, in his speech welcoming the king.

Britannica

He preferred leaving it to chance instead, welcoming imperfections and ambiguity.

Britannica

From 1851 until his death he served as pastor at the Barony Church, Glasgow, where he sought to reach nonchurchgoing workers, welcoming them to his services in their work clothes.

Britannica

By welcoming a flood of new residents from northern states and from Canada and accommodating hundreds of thousands of immigrants from the Caribbean area, Florida became the country's fourth most populous state in the late 1980s and retained that ranking into the 21st century.

Britannica

The concave facade of St. Philip Neri represented to him the welcoming gesture of outstretched arms: the central unit stood for the chest, the two-part wings for arm and forearm.

Britannica

In 1877 he broke with other Democrats in welcoming President Rutherford Hayes's plans to end Reconstruction, and, the same year, he played a prominent role at the convention that revised the state constitution in favour of white supremacy.

Britannica

It is an aesthetic way of welcoming guests, in which everything is done according to an established order.

Britannica

In Denmark he was greeted as a hero, some newspapers even welcoming him with pride as the Dane who had invented the atomic bomb.

Britannica

"There never has been a rush to conclude these matters and we are more than willing to take time to develop our proposals further before seeking approval, without which it is not our intention to proceed". In a coordinated response Fifa issued an emollient statement, welcoming the league's decision to withdraw from the meeting and praising its "constructive approach".

The Guardian - Sport

Investors are welcoming the European Central Bank's decision to extend its QE programme by an extra nine months.

The Guardian - Business

Mulled wine is one of my winter highlights; the welcoming warmth of a glass of spiced wine after a long walk in the cold is just wonderful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "welcoming" to describe environments, people, or gestures that create a sense of comfort and acceptance. Consider the specific nuance you want to convey, choosing among alternatives like "hospitable" or "inviting" for slight shifts in meaning.

Common error

While "welcoming" is generally appropriate, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Substitute with more precise terms like "receptive", "supportive", or "inclusive" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The word "welcoming" primarily functions as an adjective, describing a person, place, or thing that is friendly and creates a positive, receptive atmosphere. Ludwig AI confirms this through various examples showcasing its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "welcoming" functions primarily as an adjective, signifying a friendly and receptive environment. Ludwig AI's analysis, as well as numerous examples from sources like The Guardian and Britannica, indicate that "welcoming" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term. Its register is generally neutral, fitting diverse contexts ranging from news reports to encyclopedic descriptions. Alternative terms such as "hospitable" and "inviting" can provide nuanced variations, enriching written expression, however, remember that overusing the adjective "welcoming" in more formal academic contexts should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hospitable

This alternative focuses on the act of being friendly and receptive to guests or strangers.

inviting

This alternative highlights the quality of being attractive or tempting.

amiable

This alternative emphasizes a friendly and pleasant disposition.

cordial

This alternative stresses politeness and warmth in social interactions.

receptive

This alternative focuses on the willingness to receive new ideas or suggestions.

approachable

This alternative highlights the ease with which someone can be approached or spoken to.

friendly

This alternative is a general term for being kind and pleasant.

gracious

This alternative suggests elegance and courtesy in welcoming someone.

open-armed

This alternative idiomatically conveys a very enthusiastic welcome.

warm

This alternative focuses on the emotion of kindness and affection.

FAQs

How can I use "welcoming" in a sentence?

Use "welcoming" to describe a person, place, or thing that is friendly and makes you feel comfortable. For example, "The staff was very welcoming", or "The town has a welcoming atmosphere".

What are some synonyms for "welcoming"?

You can use synonyms like "hospitable", "inviting", "amiable", or "cordial" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone is "welcoming"?

Yes, it is correct to say someone is "welcoming". It means they are friendly, open, and make others feel comfortable and accepted.

What's the difference between "welcoming" and "welcome"?

"Welcome" is often used as a greeting or to express pleasure at someone's arrival, while "welcoming" describes the quality of being friendly and receptive. For instance, you might say "Welcome to our home!" and describe the atmosphere as "welcoming".