congenial
adjective
con·ge·nial kən-ˈjē-nē-əl 
-ˈjēn-yəl
1
a
: pleasant
especially : agreeably suited to one's nature, tastes, or outlook
a congenial atmosphere
b
: sociable, genial
a congenial host
c
: existing or associated together harmoniously
2
: having the same nature, disposition, or tastes : kindred
congenial companions
congenially
kən-ˈjē-nē-ə-lē
adverb -ˈjēn-yə-
Did you know?
The History of Congenial Is Spiritual
According to ancient mythology, each person at birth was assigned a guardian spirit. The Latin name for this attendant spirit was genius. Two people who get along well together can be thought of as sharing a similar spirit. They might even be described by a word combining the Latin prefix com- (meaning "with, together") and genius—in English congenial.
Synonyms
- agreeable
- blessed
- blest
- darling
- delectable
- delicious
- delightful
- delightsome
- dreamy
- dulcet
- enjoyable
- felicitous
- good
- grateful
- gratifying
- heavenly
- jolly
- luscious
- nice
- palatable
- pleasant
- pleasing
- pleasurable
- pretty
- satisfying
- savory
- savoury
- sweet
- tasty
- welcome
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She moved on, leaving behind the world of politics for the more congenial sphere of the arts. 
Amy Fine Collins, Vanity Fair, March 2001 Jackson may walk up to home plate with the cool strut of a superstar, but off the field he is warm and congenial. Peter Gammons, Sports Illustrated, 12 June 1989 It turned out to be, for me, one of the most congenial and, in a way, lustrous gatherings that I have ever had in the White House. Lady Bird Johnson 4 May 1965, in A White House Diary, 1970 The town is a congenial place for raising children. We studied in the congenial atmosphere of the library. He found the work to be congenial. She was congenial and easygoing. See More
Amy Fine Collins, Vanity Fair, March 2001 Jackson may walk up to home plate with the cool strut of a superstar, but off the field he is warm and congenial. Peter Gammons, Sports Illustrated, 12 June 1989 It turned out to be, for me, one of the most congenial and, in a way, lustrous gatherings that I have ever had in the White House. Lady Bird Johnson 4 May 1965, in A White House Diary, 1970 The town is a congenial place for raising children. We studied in the congenial atmosphere of the library. He found the work to be congenial. She was congenial and easygoing. See More Recent Examples on the Web Then there's McEntire, who's congenial matriarch undoubtably has more than a few secrets of her own. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 31 Aug. 2022 But Gaffigan, 43, is a congenial, quick-talking musician who is more honest and open than many of his peers. New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 He was beloved not for always being a nice guy, not for signing autographs or being congenial, but for being the ultimate competitor, the ultimate winner, the ultimate teammate. Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 31 July 2022 The drive east from the railroad station in Albany was all throbbing, congenial hills. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 July 2022 Its service was also congenial, a hallmark of Meyer’s style that’s been copied by restaurateurs across the country. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 2 Aug. 2022 Father Paul is congenial and unassuming, a gentle man who just wants to watch over the island's Catholic flock until the Monsignor returns. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 21 June 2022 Congressman Cawthorn was very polite, very congenial, offered his support in absolutely any way to help me defeat [Democratic Buncombe County Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara]. Grayson Quay, The Week, 19 May 2022 More than two hours into the 94th Academy Awards, the show was running long, but the atmosphere was congenial and collegial. Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2022 See More
Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 31 Aug. 2022 But Gaffigan, 43, is a congenial, quick-talking musician who is more honest and open than many of his peers. New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 He was beloved not for always being a nice guy, not for signing autographs or being congenial, but for being the ultimate competitor, the ultimate winner, the ultimate teammate. Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 31 July 2022 The drive east from the railroad station in Albany was all throbbing, congenial hills. Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 July 2022 Its service was also congenial, a hallmark of Meyer’s style that’s been copied by restaurateurs across the country. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 2 Aug. 2022 Father Paul is congenial and unassuming, a gentle man who just wants to watch over the island's Catholic flock until the Monsignor returns. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 21 June 2022 Congressman Cawthorn was very polite, very congenial, offered his support in absolutely any way to help me defeat [Democratic Buncombe County Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara]. Grayson Quay, The Week, 19 May 2022 More than two hours into the 94th Academy Awards, the show was running long, but the atmosphere was congenial and collegial. Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
com- + genius
First Known Use
circa 1625, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
congenial
adjective
con·ge·nial kən-ˈjē-nyəl
1
: alike or sympathetic in nature, disposition, or tastes
2
: existing together in harmony
"We are quite as congenial as flies and honey." L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz
L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz3
: tending to please or satisfy
congenial work
4
: friendly sense 1
congenial
adjective
1
as in pleasant
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses a couple relaxing in the congenial atmosphere of a luxury health spa Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- pleasant
- delightful
- enjoyable
- pleasing
- nice
- delicious
- sweet
- satisfying
- good
- agreeable
- welcome
- heavenly
- jolly
- pretty
- pleasurable
- felicitous
- soothing
- comforting
- comfortable
- amusing
- charming
- gratifying
- tasty
- dreamy
- palatable
- grateful
- tempting
- desirable
- happy
- attractive
- delectable
- blessed
- fascinating
- savory
- amiable
- cheerful
- luscious
- darling
- dulcet
- inviting
- genial
- entertaining
- affable
- hospitable
- blest
- alluring
- blissful
- delightsome
- savoury
- gracious
- enviable
- enchanting
- personable
- calming
- cheery
- joyous
- good-natured
- relishable
- recreative
- kindly
- goodly
- diverting
- exhilarating
- intoxicating
- glad
- rapturous
- ecstatic
- euphoric
- felicific
- elating
- gemütlich
- nirvanic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disagreeable
- unpleasant
- unwelcome
- miserable
- repugnant
- unpalatable
- repulsive
- ghastly
- abominable
- obnoxious
- hellish
- wretched
- unsavory
- distasteful
- odious
- vile
- offensive
- horrid
- dull
- irksome
- disgusting
- tedious
- boring
- hateful
- bilious
- detestable
- abhorrent
- unhappy
- insipid
- repellent
- flat
- gloomy
- commonplace
- hostile
- sad
- dreary
- dismal
- depressing
- lugubrious
- tragic
- stale
- joyless
- dissatisfying
- yucky
- displeasing
- irritating
- sorrowful
- exasperating
- revulsive
- doleful
- deplorable
- regrettable
- vexing
- mournful
- disheartening
- aggravating
- pleasureless
- annoying
- lamentable
- tragical
- perturbing
- lachrymose
- repellant
- dolorous
- forbidding
- god-awful
- heartrending
- heartbreaking
- disturbing
- maddening
- yukky
- intimidating
- infuriating
- distressing
- upsetting
- peeving
- inflaming
- rankling
- enraging
- riling
- outraging
- enflaming
- angering
- incensing
2
as in compatible
having or marked by agreement in feeling or action congenial traveling companions who made our tour of Italy even more enjoyable than we had anticipated Synonyms & Similar Words
- compatible
- unanimous
- united
- amicable
- agreeable
- peaceful
- harmonious
- kindred
- cooperative
- frictionless
- amiable
- friendly
- peaceable
- symbiotic
- sympathetic
- pacific
- noncompetitive
- tolerant
- affable
- neighborly
- understanding
- collaborating
- cordial
- genial
- synergetic
- synergic
- nonconflicting
- uncompetitive
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- uncongenial
- disagreeable
- hostile
- incompatible
- antagonistic
- unfriendly
- inharmonious
- discordant
- conflicting
- inimical
- antipathetic
- belligerent
- opposite
- quarrelsome
- disharmonious
- contradictory
- contentious
- competitive
- disunited
- contrary
- opposing
- clashing
- competing
- contradicting
- rivaling
- rivalling