Word of the day · 12 August 2026
cordial
/ˈkɔːdiəl/
adjective
Warm and friendly in a sincere way.
In a sentence
- Their cordial handshake calmed a tense meeting.
- The host's cordial note made the guests feel expected.
- Talks stayed cordial even when the deal stalled.
In an image
Origin
From Medieval Latin cordialis (of the heart), from Latin cor (heart).
History
Cordial began as a medical term for remedies thought to stimulate the heart. The social sense of heartfelt warmth followed in English. Diplomats still speak of cordial relations when ties are friendly without being intimate. As a noun it also names a sweet drink, keeping the old restorative idea.
Nearby words
affable · genial · warm
Welcome that comes from the heart, not from a script.