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convivial

UK/kənˈvɪv.i.əl/US/kənˈvɪv.i.əl/
adjectiveC2Rare in speech; mostly a word you read · #13,205 of 15,258neutral

Convivial means friendly and lively in company. A convivial evening, convivial company, convivial and warm.

It belongs to gatherings with food and drink specifically, which the Latin makes plain: a convivium was a feast. Of a person it means somebody good to eat and drink with rather than merely pleasant.

Definitions of convivial

  1. 1adjectiveconvivialFriendly and lively in company.C2

    “The dinner was a convivial affair, full of laughter and good wine.”

convivial is a quality.

Remember it

The Latin parts are together and to live, the same living behind survive. Convivial is the warmth of people living it up together round one table.

hooks ontolive

Where it comes from

Latin convivium means a feast, from con-, together, plus vivere, to live.

  1. Proto-Indo-European

    *gʷeyh₃-

  2. Latin

    convīvium — a feast

  3. French

    convivial

  4. English, today

    convivial

Built from

  • con- · Latin — together
  • vīvō · Latin — to live

Borrowed from French convivial, from Latin convīvium (“a feast”), combined form of con- (“together”) + vīvō (“to live”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

Practise this word

convivial in the wild

  • The Poker Club was one of several clubs at the heart of the Scottish Enlightenment where associated with that movement met and exchanged views in a convivial atmosphere.

    The Poker Club

  • The scheme also aims to reduce pollution, create a convivial atmosphere within the city, and encourage the health benefits of increased activity.

    Vélo'v

  • The Edinburgh Cape Society is a convivial Edinburgh tavern-based society which was first established in the 18th century.

    Edinburgh Cape Club

  • In Tune is broadcast live from the BBC's Broadcasting House in London, and has been noted for its relaxed, convivial style of presentation.

    In Tune (radio programme)

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. These sentences were written by other people about their own subjects; they are here to show the word at work, not as anybody’s opinion.

Related words

the vīvō family

vividreviverevival

convivial — used about once every 20,553 pages · #13,205 · point at the bar for the others