English Dictionary

AMIABLE

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IPA (US): 

 Dictionary entry overview: What does amiable mean? 

AMIABLE (adjective)
  The adjective AMIABLE has 2 senses:

1. disposed to pleaseplay

2. diffusing warmth and friendlinessplay

  Familiarity information: AMIABLE used as an adjective is rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


AMIABLE (adjective)


Sense 1

Meaning:

Disposed to please

Synonyms:

amiable; good-humored; good-humoured

Context example:

an amiable villain with a cocky sidelong grin

Similar:

good-natured (having an easygoing and cheerful disposition)

Derivation:

amiability (a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to))

amiability (a cheerful and agreeable mood)

amiableness (a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to))


Sense 2

Meaning:

Diffusing warmth and friendliness

Synonyms:

affable; amiable; cordial; genial

Context example:

a genial host

Similar:

friendly (characteristic of or befitting a friend)

Derivation:

amiability (a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to))

amiability (a cheerful and agreeable mood)

amity (a state of friendship and cordiality)


 Context examples 


I was glad to infer, from these slight premises, that Mr. Micawber was doing well; and consequently was much surprised to receive, about this time, the following letter from his amiable wife.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Miss Campbell always was absolutely plain—but extremely elegant and amiable.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

She never appeared more amiable than in her behaviour to you last night.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The natives were Cucama Indians, an amiable but degraded race, with mental powers hardly superior to the average Londoner.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Finding the child more docile and amiable than her sister, the old lady felt it her duty to try and counteract, as far as possible, the bad effects of home freedom and indulgence.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Your sister is an amiable creature; but yours is the character of decision and firmness, I see.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

She had taken an amiable caprice to me.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

My dear Miss Morland, said Henry, in this amiable solicitude for your brother's comfort, may you not be a little mistaken?

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Tomorrow may not be a better day, but there will always be a better tomorrow." (English proverb)

"We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love... and then we return home." (Aboriginal Australian proverbs)

"The best place in the world is on the back of a horse, and the best thing to do in time is to read a book." (Arabic proverb)

"Bathe her and then look at her." (Egyptian proverb)



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