convivial means having elements of a feast or of entertainment, especially when it comes to eating and drinking, with accompanying festivity.
convivial is pronounced /kənˈvɪv.i.əl/.
Why “convivial” is a great word
Relating to the festive and companionable atmosphere of a gathering, marked by shared food, drink, and lively goodwill. From the Latin convīvium ("a feast, banquet"), from con- ("together") + vīvō ("to live"). Unlike "gregarious," which describes a sociable disposition, or "solemn," which denotes a formal and serious mood, convivial belongs to the event itself, to the warmth it generates. It is the low golden light on a crowded table, the overlapping melodies of simultaneous conversations, the shared toast with wine-stained lips—a temporary victory over solitude, built on the shared aliveness that, for a few hours, makes living together seem the only true way to live.
Etymology
Borrowed from French convivial, from Latin convīvium (“a feast”), combined form of con- (“together”) + vīvō (“to live”).
adj
- Having elements of a feast or of entertainment, especially when it comes to eating and drinking, with accompanying festivitye.g.“I spent many a convivial evening at the club.”
Words closest in meaning
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