Dictionary [AGREEABLE]: Pleasant demeanor, accommodating attitude, or a willingness to consent

agreeable

agreeable

adjective
UK/əˈɡriː.ə.bl̩/US/əˈɡriː.ə.bl̩/

pleasant, nice, or acceptable; willing to agree or consent

Example Sentences

  1. The host was extremely agreeable, offering us refreshments and ensuring our comfort throughout the evening.

  2. She found the weather quite agreeable after moving from a colder climate in the mountains.

  3. The employees were relieved to find that the new company policies were agreeable enough to sign without any disputes.

  4. A proposal that is agreeable to everyone often includes compromise and open-minded discussion.

  1. He spoke in such an agreeable tone that it was hard to remain upset with him.

  2. It took weeks of negotiations, but both parties finally reached an agreeable settlement that respected everyone’s interests and preserved important working relationships moving forward.

  3. Their neighbors have such an agreeable manner about them, frequently inviting others for gatherings and helping create a close-knit community on the street.

  4. This new roast of coffee has a mellow, rich flavor that most people find quite agreeable, appealing to casual drinkers and coffee connoisseurs alike.

Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms

How to Use

Pleasing, cooperative, or ready to accept suggestions with minimal conflict.

Use “agreeable” when describing people, situations, or conditions that are pleasing, pleasant, or easy to get along with. For instance, a person might be described as agreeable if they consistently display a friendly, flexible disposition, readily cooperating with others’ ideas. In social settings, it can highlight compatibility—“The new coworker is quite agreeable; he’s open to team feedback.” You can also employ it to emphasize a congenial tone: “We had an agreeable conversation over coffee, discussing shared interests.” In negotiations or discussions, labeling terms as agreeable signals that they meet everyone’s needs without causing friction. Meanwhile, referencing an “agreeable atmosphere” suggests a comfortable, welcoming environment, perhaps free from tension. Overall, “agreeable” underscores a sense of acceptance, amiability, and willingness to accommodate. Although it can sometimes imply a lack of assertiveness, typically it refers to a positive quality of collaboration and friendliness, fostering smooth interactions. It’s useful in both formal and casual contexts, as it neatly signals pleasantness and mutual harmony without sounding overly strong or forceful.

Alternatives

Synonyms for “agreeable” vary in tone and specificity. Words like “pleasant,” “amiable,” or “friendly” emphasize warmth and sociability. “Congenial” often appears in formal settings, focusing on shared values or harmony among people. “Cooperative” underscores willingness to work together, while “amenable” shows openness to suggestions or guidance—common in work or legal contexts, e.g., “She was amenable to the changes in the contract.” If you want a mild, everyday term, “nice” gets the job done, but it’s less precise about why someone or something is positive. Phrases like “easy to get along with” or “helpful” highlight that a person is pleasant or supportive in group settings. For describing conditions or scenarios, “favorable” might suit official or business documents: “The weather was favorable for the outdoor event.” Each alternative captures slightly different shades of positivity, from personal disposition (amiable, friendly) to social cooperation (amenable, cooperative) to situational advantage (favorable). Selecting the right synonym refines how you portray the nature of someone’s or something’s appeal.

Writing

When writing, consider why you’re labeling something as “agreeable.” If it’s about a person’s temperament, include some brief details or examples to show how they cooperate or spread goodwill—“Her agreeable manner made team discussions flow smoothly.” In persuasive or analytical texts, the term can depict positive traits of policies, deals, or environments: “We found the proposed conditions agreeable, given they align with our long-term goals.” Highlighting specific reasons for the agreeableness—like emotional intelligence, willingness to compromise, or a shared agenda—gives your statement more weight and prevents it from feeling empty. If you need a stronger or more focused tone, opt for synonyms that underscore the exact dimension of positivity: is it purely social? Helpful for reaching a goal? In descriptive passages (fiction or narrative nonfiction), “agreeable” can establish a soft, congenial mood—“The evening was marked by agreeable conversation and gentle laughter.” Contrasting it with moments of disagreement can heighten tension and show growth or conflict resolution among characters or stakeholders. By weaving in context, you ensure “agreeable” doesn’t remain vague but instead guides readers to a clearer understanding of how exactly a person or situation is welcoming and constructive.

Casual Conversation

In casual settings, “agreeable” might sound slightly more formal than everyday words like “nice,” “cool,” or “easygoing,” but it still works for describing someone who’s pleasant to be around or a situation that everyone’s happy with. For instance, when deciding dinner plans with friends, you could say, “Let’s pick somewhere that’s agreeable to everyone,” meaning a restaurant or cuisine no one objects to. When talking about people, you might say, “He’s super agreeable,” suggesting he’s relaxed, doesn’t mind going along with group choices, and doesn’t start conflicts. If you use “agreeable” in a lighthearted tone—“That’s totally agreeable!”—it can come across playfully enthusiastic about the plan. Keep in mind that in very informal chats, “agreeable” can sound a bit polite or old-fashioned compared to “fine by me,” “works for me,” or “I’m down.” Still, sprinkling it in can be a friendly way to let someone know you appreciate their ideas or find them easy to get along with, emphasizing positivity without going over the top.

Etymology

“Agreeable” evolves from the verb “agree,” tracing its origins to Old French “agreer,” meaning “to please, satisfy,” influenced by the Latin phrase “ad grātum” (to someone’s favor). As the English language solidified, the suffix “-able” (meaning “capable of” or “able to be”) was added, transforming it into an adjective that signifies “capable of pleasing” or “able to be in harmony.” Historically, it encompassed both the sense of being pleasing to another and the readiness to harmonize viewpoints. Over centuries, “agreeable” maintained this connotation of pleasantness and willingness, capturing the essence of friendly rapport and shared satisfaction. Whether describing polite society in eighteenth-century literature or an amiable coworker in the modern office, the term’s linguistic roots remind us that to be agreeable is, at heart, to facilitate harmony and goodwill among people or conditions.

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