cordial

comparative more cordial · superlative most cordial

1. Hearty; sincere; warm; affectionate.

   I have a cordial dislike for arachnids.

   3 more examples

   He, on his side / Leaning half raised, with looks of cordial love / Hung over her enamoured.

   1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

   The relations between the Earl of Bellomont and Colonel Schuyler were formal, but not cordial from the first.

   1885, George Washington Schuyler, Colonial New York: Philip Schuyler and His Family, C. Scribner's Sons

   Joshua maintained his serious demeanour when Wilder took the microphone - his gaze not leaving the Alabama fighter who was cordial and respectful in return.

   2023 November 15, Kal Sajad, “Anthony Joshua: Briton bites at Otto Wallin, Jarrell Miller and critics at star-studded news conference”, in BBC

   Synonyms: heartfelt, profound

2. Radiating warmth and friendliness; genial.

   Since then, though, discussions have become more collaborative and cordial.

   2024 April 22, Russell Fuller, “What lies in store for tennis' revamped future?”, in BBC

   1 more example

   The sight of London warmed my heart with various emotions, such as a cordial man must draw from the heart of all humanity.

   1869, R[ichard] D[oddridge] Blackmore, “CHAPTER 66”, in Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Sampson Low, Son, & Marston, […], →OCLC

   Synonyms: affable, amiable

3. rareTending to revive, cheer, or invigorate; giving strength or spirits.

   And first behold this cordial julep here / That flames and dances in his crystal bounds, / With spirits of balm, and fragrant syrups mix'd.

   Comus

   1634 October 9 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), [John Milton], edited by H[enry] Lawes, A Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634: […] [Comus], London: […] [Augustine Matthews] for Hvmphrey Robinson, […], published 1637, →OCLC; reprinted as Comus: […] (Dodd, Mead & Company’s Facsimile Reprints of Rare Books; Literature Series; no. I), New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1903, →OCLC

   1 more example

   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.

   1624, John Donne, “11. Prayer.”, in Deuotions upon Emergent Occasions, and Seuerall Steps in My Sicknes: […], London: […] A[ugustine] M[atthews] for Thomas Iones, →OCLC, pages 280–281

   Synonyms: refreshing, invigorating, renewing

4. obsoleteProceeding 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;

   1667, John Milton, “(please specify the page number)”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

plural cordials

1. AustraliaNew ZealandUKA 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.

   2024 May 31, Andrew John Chappell, Adrien Parry, Trevor Simper, “The Acute Effect of Citrulline Malate Loading in Resistance Trained Males on: Anaerobic Muscular Endurance, Force Recovery and Muscle Soreness”, in Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise, →DOI

   Synonyms: squash, high juice

2. AustraliaNew ZealandUKAn individual serving of such a diluted drink.
3. A pleasant-tasting medicine.
4. A liqueur prepared using the infusion process.

   [Marilla] had put the bottle of raspberry cordial down in the cellar instead of in the closet [...].

   1908, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, L. C. Page & Co.

   1 more example

   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?

5. A candy (or bonbon) usually made of milk chocolate, filled with small fruits (often maraschino cherries) and syrup or fondant.
6. 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.

   1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter XV, in Mansfield Park: […], volume III, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 288

7. Tasmaniasoda, fizzy drink