Amiable Meaning
/ˈeɪ.mi.ə.bəl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjFriendly; kind; sweet; gracious
adjOf a pleasant and likeable nature; kind-hearted; easy to like
Sentence Examples
She is amiable to everybody.
She is not only beautiful but also amiable.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
Despite the argument, she remained ____ and polite throughout.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He is a very ____ person who makes friends easily wherever he goes.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English amyable, from Old French amiable, from Late Latin amīcābilis (“friendly”), from Latin amīcus (“friend”), from amō (“love”, verb). The meaning has been influenced by French amiable and Latin amābilis (“loveable”) (whence English aimable and amable). Doublet of amicable. Compare with amorous, amability.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The sums I have lent him! indeed—I have been exceedingly to blame—it was an amiable weakness!"
— 1777, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for Scandal, V.i:
"A short time afterward at the opera Gerald dragged him into a parterre to say something amiable to one of the amiable débutante Craig girls—and Selwyn found himself again facing Alixe."
— 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter III, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:
"My deyſy delectabyll
My prymerose commendabyll
My vyolet amyabyll
My ioye in explicabill
Nowe torne agayne to me"
— c. 1521, John Skelton, Speke Parott:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Despite the argument, she remained ____ and polite throughout.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He is a very ____ person who makes friends easily wherever he goes.