cordial means hearty; sincere; warm; affectionate. It carries an Arena rating of 1520, earned across 2 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, cordial ranks #1,954 of 14,340 for Most Vivid Words, #2,338 of 14,361 for Most Ingenious Words, #2,374 of 14,451 for Most Whimsical Words, #2,737 of 14,445 for Most Beautiful Words.
cordial is pronounced /ˈkɔː.di.əl/.
Why “cordial” is a great word
Warm, sincere, and friendly in manner; also, a sweet, concentrated non-alcoholic syrup diluted to make a drink. From Middle English cordial, from Old French cordial, from Medieval Latin cordiālis ("of the heart"), from Latin cor, cord- ("heart"). Unlike "gracious," which implies courteous kindness often from a social height, or "formal," which adheres strictly to cool convention, cordial suggests a heartfelt warmth that meets propriety halfway. It is the genuine handshake of a new acquaintance, the handwritten note after a dinner party, the deep-amber syrup stirred into cold water to make a welcoming drink—a sweetness concentrated and meant to be shared, the quiet alchemy of making the heart felt without demanding it be proven.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English cordial, from Old French cordial, from Medieval Latin cordiālis (“of the heart”), from cor (“heart”).
adj
- Hearty; sincere; warm; affectionate.“I have a cordial dislike for arachnids.”
- Radiating warmth and friendliness; genial.“The sight of London warmed my heart with various emotions, such as a cordial man must draw from the heart of all humanity.”
- Tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate; giving strength or spirits.“I vvas baptized in thy Cordiall vvater, againſt Original ſinne, and I haue drunke of thy Cordiall Blood, for my recouerie, from actuall, and habituall ſinne, in the other Sacrament.”
- Proceeding from the heart.“Who stooping op'n'd my left side, and took / From thence a Rib with cordial spirits warm, / And Life-blood streaming fresh;”
noun
- A concentrated non-carbonated soft drink which is diluted with water before drinking.“Both supplement and taste-matched placebo were consumed in 70 ml of fruit cordial and 150 ml of water, which were drunk within a 5-min period.”
- An individual serving of such a diluted drink.
- A pleasant-tasting medicine.
- A liqueur prepared using the infusion process.“1728, John Gay, The Beggar's Opera, Act III, Scene 1, in 1828, British Theatre, Comprising Tragedies, Comedies, Operas, and Farces, 827,
Lucy. But, miss Polly—in the way of friendship, will you give me leave to propose a glass of cordial to you ?
Polly. Strong waters are apt to give me the headache.—I hope, madam, you will excuse me?”
- A candy (or bonbon) usually made of milk chocolate, filled with small fruits (often maraschino cherries) and syrup or fondant.
- Anything that revives or comforts, a stimulant.“Never had Fanny more wanted a cordial. Never had she felt such a one as this letter contained.”
Words closest in meaning
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