What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
xenial
Example
The hotel staff provided xenial service to their guests, making them feel at home. [xenial: adjective]
Example
The community showed xenial kindness to the refugees who had just arrived. [xenial: adjective]
cordial
Example
The two colleagues had a cordial conversation over lunch. [cordial: adjective]
Example
She greeted her old friend with a cordial hug and smile. [cordial: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cordial is more commonly used than xenial in everyday language. Cordial is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while xenial is less common and is often used in professional or business settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between xenial and cordial?
Xenial has a more formal tone and is often used in professional or business settings, while cordial is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
