cordial
gb/kˈɔɹd͡ʒəl/ us/kˈɔɹd͡ʒəl/
B2
English
~ 5700
szívélyes, szörp, likőr, szívből jövő, őszinte, gyógyital
B2
FORMAL
1
szívélyes
B2
Usage pattern:
a cordial [relationship/meeting/welcome] with [someone]
Despite the difficult negotiations, the talks remained cordial throughout.
A nehéz egyeztetések ellenére a tárgyalások végig szívélyes hangnemben zajlottak.
She wrote a cordial letter thanking them for their hospitality.
Szívélyes hangú levelet írt, amelyben megköszönte a vendéglátásukat.
The two former rivals now have a cordial relationship.
He gave me a cordial welcome when I arrived at the office.
Their meeting was brief but perfectly cordial.
Learner examples
Our neighbors are very cordial to us.
A szomszédaink nagyon szívélyesek velünk.
The manager was cordial and answered all my questions.
A vezető szívélyes volt, és minden kérdésemre válaszolt.
They have a cordial relationship with their old boss.
Thank you for your cordial welcome at the party.
The discussion was tense, but everyone stayed cordial.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "cordial" where "casual" or "informal" would be more natural, especially for friendly situations among close friends. "Cordial" is usually used for polite, respectful friendliness, often between people who are not very close or in business and official contexts. Another mistake is pronouncing it like "cor-dial" with a hard /d/; it is pronounced /ˈkɔːr-dʒəl/.
Meaning
warm and politely friendly
Collocations
cordial relations
|cordial relationship
|cordial welcome
|cordial invitation
|cordial atmosphere
|cordial meeting
Synonyms
friendly (More general and common; does not suggest the same formal politeness as "cordial".)
|
amiable (Describes a pleasant, good-natured character; less tied to formal situations than "cordial".)
Antonyms
hostile (Describes relations or behavior that are unfriendly and opposed, the opposite of cordial interaction.)
|
cold (Suggests distant and unfriendly behavior, lacking the warmth implied by "cordial".)
Themes
social
|emotions
|business
|formalities
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Polite and friendly in a warm, honest way, often in a formal situation.
Warm, polite, and genuinely friendly in attitude or behavior, especially in a formal or semi-formal situation.
NOUN
B2
2
szörp
A2
Usage pattern:
some cordial in [a glass/of water]
The children drank blackcurrant cordial with their lunch.
A gyerekek ebédhez feketeribizli-szörpöt ittak.
Please buy a bottle of orange cordial for the party.
Kérlek, vegyél egy üveg narancsszörpöt a bulira.
She poured a little cordial into the glass and topped it up with water.
This lemon cordial is too sweet if you don’t dilute it properly.
We always keep some fruit cordial in the cupboard for visitors.
Learner examples
Would you like some orange cordial?
Kérsz egy kis narancsszörpöt?
He mixed the cordial with cold water.
Hideg vízzel keverte össze a szörpöt.
The kids drank cherry cordial after school.
She keeps a big bottle of cordial in the fridge.
You need to add more water to the cordial.
Common mistake:
Learners who know American English sometimes think "cordial" always means an alcoholic drink; in British English this common meaning is non-alcoholic and similar to "squash". Also, learners may incorrectly use it for any soft drink; it specifically refers to a concentrated syrup you dilute with water.
Meaning
sweet fruit drink concentrate (BrE)
Collocations
blackcurrant cordial
|orange cordial
|fruit cordial
|glass of cordial
|dilute the cordial
|make up the cordial
Synonyms
squash (Common British term for the same type of concentrated soft drink; "cordial" can sound slightly more old-fashioned or brand-like in some areas.)
Antonyms
plain water (Contains no added sweetness or flavor, unlike sugary, flavored cordial.)
Themes
food
|drinks
|daily life
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
A very sweet fruit drink you mix with water before you drink it (mainly British English).
A very sweet, usually fruit-flavored, non-alcoholic concentrated drink that is mixed with water before drinking, especially in British English.
NOUN
C1
3
likőr
B1
Usage pattern:
a [fruit/herbal] cordial after [a meal]
They finished the meal with a small cordial.
Az étkezést egy pohárka likőrrel fejezték be.
She offered her guests coffee and a cherry cordial.
Kávéval és cseresznyelikőrrel kínálta a vendégeit.
He prefers an herbal cordial instead of dessert.
The restaurant serves a complimentary cordial after dinner.
She sipped a cordial while they talked by the fire.
Learner examples
He ordered a cordial after dinner.
Vacsora után rendelt egy likőrt.
Would you like a small cherry cordial?
Kérsz egy kis cseresznyelikőrt?
They drank a sweet cordial at the end of the meal.
She poured the cordial into tiny glasses.
The bar has many different fruit cordials.
Common mistake:
Learners are often confused because in British English "cordial" usually means a non-alcoholic drink, but in North American English it often means a sweet alcoholic liqueur. Pay attention to context and region when choosing this word.
Meaning
sweet alcoholic liqueur (AmE)
Collocations
after-dinner cordial
|cherry cordial
|herbal cordial
|sip a cordial
|cordial glass
Synonyms
liqueur (Standard term for sweet, flavored alcoholic drinks; "cordial" is especially common in North American usage.)
Antonyms
soft drink (A non-alcoholic drink, contrasting with the alcoholic nature of a cordial in this sense.)
Themes
drinks
|food
|leisure
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
A sweet alcoholic drink with strong flavor that you drink in small amounts, especially in American English.
A sweet, flavored alcoholic liqueur that is usually drunk in small amounts, especially after a meal, particularly in North American English.
C1
FORMAL
4
szívből jövő
B2
őszinte
A2
Usage pattern:
cordial [dislike/support/agreement] for [someone/something]
He has a cordial dislike for dishonest politicians.
Őszinte ellenszenvet érez a tisztességtelen politikusok iránt.
The proposal received their cordial support.
A javaslatot teljes szívvel támogatták.
She expressed her cordial agreement with the committee’s decision.
There is cordial hatred between the two rival gangs in the novel.
The plan met with cordial approval from the board.
Learner examples
She has a cordial dislike of lying.
Őszinte ellenszenvet érez a hazudozás iránt.
The team gave cordial support to the new coach.
A csapat teljes szívvel támogatta az új edzőt.
He showed cordial agreement with the idea.
They felt cordial hatred for the cruel leader.
The project had cordial approval from the manager.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "cordial" is always positive, but in this sense it often modifies negative feelings like "dislike" or "hatred" and simply means the feeling is very strong and complete.
Meaning
strong and wholehearted (feelings)
Collocations
cordial dislike
|cordial hatred
|cordial support
|cordial agreement
Synonyms
wholehearted (Emphasizes complete support or enthusiasm; "cordial" can also be used for strong negative feelings such as dislike.)
|
deep-seated (Suggests strong, long-held feelings, often negative; "cordial" sounds more formal and deliberate.)
Antonyms
lukewarm (Describes weak, half-hearted feelings or support, opposite of the strong feeling implied by "cordial".)
Themes
emotions
|opinions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very strong and complete in feeling, like strong support or strong dislike, in formal style.
Very strong and complete in feeling or support, often used for likes, dislikes, or agreement in formal or literary style.
NOUN
C2
ARCHAIC
5
gyógyital
B2
Usage pattern:
take a cordial for [the heart/nerves]
The doctor prepared a cordial to steady her nerves.
Az orvos gyógyitalt készített, hogy megnyugtassa az idegeit.
In the old novel, the patient is given a cordial before sleep.
A régi regényben a beteg elalvás előtt gyógyitalt kap.
They believed the herbal cordial would restore his strength.
She sipped a cordial prescribed by the village healer.
The apothecary mixed a warming cordial for the sick child.
Learner examples
In the story, the woman drinks a cordial to feel better.
A történetben a nő gyógyitalt iszik, hogy jobban legyen.
The old doctor gives the man a special cordial.
Az öreg orvos különleges gyógyitalt ad a férfinak.
People once used a cordial as medicine for the heart.
The healer makes a strong cordial from herbs.
He takes a cordial when he feels weak.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use this old medical meaning in modern conversation. Today, this sense is rare and sounds literary or historical; use "medicine" or "tonic" instead in everyday speech.
Meaning
old use: strengthening medicine drink
Collocations
take a cordial
|cordial draught
|cordial medicine
|restorative cordial
Synonyms
tonic (Modern word for a medicine or drink meant to give strength; "cordial" in this sense is old-fashioned or literary.)
Antonyms
poison (Harms or kills the body, opposite of a cordial's intended strengthening or healing effect.)
Themes
medicine
|history
|health
|food_drink
Definition
An old word for a drink used as medicine to make the body or heart feel stronger or calmer.
An old-fashioned medicinal drink or preparation taken to strengthen, calm, or stimulate the heart and body.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cordial
IPA
GB/kˈɔɹd͡ʒəl/
US/kˈɔɹd͡ʒəl/
Syllables & stress
cor - di - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cor)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: cordial
Noun
- Base: cordial
- Plural: cordials
Word family
Forms
cordials
noun
Core family
cordiality
noun
cordially
adverb
Expressions
cordial agreement
1/kˈɔɹd͡ʒəl əɡɹˈimənt/
fixed phrase
formal
friendly, harmonious agreement
An agreement made in a friendly and polite way, without anger or conflict.
Examples
- After several meetings, they reached a cordial agreement.
- Both parties signed the contract in a spirit of cordial agreement.
- The talks ended in cordial agreement on all major points.
cordial invitation
1/kˈɔɹd͡ʒəl ˌɪnvɪtˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
polite and friendly invitation
A very polite and friendly request asking someone to come to an event or to do something.
Examples
- They sent us a cordial invitation to the wedding.
- You have a cordial invitation to visit our offices at any time.
- The letter ended with a cordial invitation to future talks.
cordial relations
1/kˈɔɹd͡ʒəl ɹilˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
formal
friendly but formal relations
Relations between people, groups, or countries that are friendly and polite, but usually formal.
Examples
- The two countries have maintained cordial relations for decades.
- Despite past conflicts, they now enjoy cordial relations with their neighbors.
- The company wishes to keep cordial relations with former employees.
cordial thanks
1/kˈɔɹd͡ʒəl θˈæŋks/
fixed phrase
formal
warm and sincere thanks
Very warm and sincere words to say that you are thankful.
Examples
- Please accept my cordial thanks for your help.
- She offered her cordial thanks to everyone who contributed.
- We extend our cordial thanks to all our guests.
cordial welcome
1/kˈɔɹd͡ʒəl wˈɛlkəm/
fixed phrase
formal
warm and polite welcome
A warm and polite way of greeting someone when they arrive.
Examples
- We received a cordial welcome at the conference.
- The host gave each guest a cordial welcome.
- New employees are assured of a cordial welcome from the team.