GENIAL

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does genial mean? 

• GENIAL (adjective)
  The adjective GENIAL has 3 senses:

1. diffusing warmth and friendliness

2. of or relating to the chin or median part of the lower jaw

3. agreeable, conducive to comfort

  Familiarity information: GENIAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GENIAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Diffusing warmth and friendliness

Synonyms:

affable; amiable; cordial; genial

Context example:

a genial host

Similar:

friendly (characteristic of or befitting a friend)

Derivation:

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

Sense 2

Meaning:

Of or relating to the chin or median part of the lower jaw

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

genial; mental

Pertainym:

chin (the protruding part of the lower jaw)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Agreeable, conducive to comfort

Synonyms:

genial; kind

Context example:

hot summer pavements are anything but kind to the feet

Similar:

hospitable (favorable to life and growth)

 Context examples 

"He is not a popular person, the genial Challenger," said he.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A kind of pleasant stupor was stealing over me as I sat by the genial fire.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

For Mr. Bhaer talked well in this genial atmosphere, and did himself justice.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The genial, playful, puppyish side of him found little expression.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Well, Buck, my boy, he went on in a genial voice, we’ve had our little ruction, and the best thing we can do is to let it go at that.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

For some time he lay without movement, the genial sunshine pouring upon him and saturating his miserable body with its warmth.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

“I can see that you have not slept for a night or two,” said Holmes, in his easy, genial way.

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

The pleasant showers and genial warmth of spring greatly altered the aspect of the earth.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

I found him, to my astonishment, quite composed and most genial in his manner.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his hands together in the most genial fashion.

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