sociable

comparative more sociable · superlative most sociable

1. Tending to socialize or be social.

   He's normally pretty quiet, but he gets much more sociable around women.

   1 more example

   Society is no comfort to one not sociable.

   1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals)

   Synonyms: friendly, inviting, congenial, convivial, outgoing

2. Offering opportunities for conversation; characterized by much conversation.

   a sociable party

3. archaicCapable of being, or fit to be, united in one body or company; associable.

   They are sociable parts united into one body.

   [1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page)

4. obsoleteNo longer hostile; friendly.

   Is the King sociable And bids thee live ?

   c. 1608–1610, Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher, “Philaster: Or, Love Lies a Bleeding”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1679, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals)

plural sociables

1. A sociable person.
2. historicalA four-wheeled open carriage with seats facing each other.
3. A bicycle or tricycle for two persons side by side.
4. A couch with a curved S-shaped back.
5. USAn informal party or church meeting for purposes of socializing.

   At the church sociables he used to hop around among them, chipping and chirping like a dicky-bird picking up seed; and he was a great hand to play the piano, and sing saddish, sweetish songs to them.

   1903, George Horace Lorimer, Letters from a Self-Made Merchant to his Son, page 46