Cordial
Meaning
Warm and friendly, though often in a polite or slightly formal way.
हिंदी मेंगर्मजोशी भरा और मित्रवत, हालांकि अक्सर एक विनम्र या थोड़े औपचारिक तरीके से।
How this word actually lands
“Cordial” is a good example of a word that can feel warmer in Indian English than it does to a British listener. In Britain, “cordial” usually means polite and friendly, but it can also suggest a certain distance or formality. If you say, “We have a very cordial relationship,” you are not necessarily saying that the two people are close friends. You may simply mean that they behave pleasantly towards each other. This matters in professional writing because the word can sound more formal than the writer intends. For everyday conversation, “friendly” or “we get on well” will often communicate a warmer relationship. “Cordial” is not wrong—it just needs to be understood at the right level of warmth.
Example Sentences
“The meeting ended on a cordial note.”
यह बैठक एक सौहार्दपूर्ण नोट पर समाप्त हुई।
“They maintained a cordial relationship despite their disagreement.”
असहमति के बावजूद उन्होंने एक सौहार्दपूर्ण संबंध बनाए रखा।
⚠ Common Mistake
Warmer than "polite" but more formal than "friendly" — sits between the two in tone.
Good to Know
- Synonyms
- friendly, amicable
- Antonyms
- hostile, cold
Written and reviewed by Maninder Thind · Last updated 3 September 2026
← Back to all 677 words