Amiability
/ˌeɪmiˈæbɪləti/
nounB2
Definition
Amiability is the state or quality of being friendly and good-natured. It means someone is warm, polite, and easy to get along with. People with amiability often make others feel comfortable and happy.
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⚡ See It in Action
The quality of being friendly and pleasant in behavior
- •Her amiability made everyone enjoy working with her.
- •The dog's amiability helped it make friends quickly.
- •Amiability is important when meeting new people.
A general kind and gentle nature shown in social situations
- •His amiability was clear in the way he listened carefully.
- •The amiability of the host made the guests feel welcome.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "amiability" like "friendliness" (A2 word), but more about a general kind and gentle nature that lasts over time.
- ✓Picture a person smiling softly and talking kindly to everyone they meet, making a warm feeling in the room.
- ✓It's the feeling you get when someone is nice without any problem or anger, like a calm and happy friend.
- ✓Sounds like "aim-EE-ability" → imagine aiming to be friendly and able to make friends easily.
- ✓Think of Mr. Rogers, a TV host known for his gentle and friendly way with people—he showed amiability.
- ✓NOT like "anger" or "rudeness" (negative feelings), amiability is the opposite: kindness and warmth.
- ✓NOT like "politeness" alone (which is sometimes formal), amiability is more about real warmth and friendliness.
- ✓NOT like "friendship" (which is a relationship), amiability is a personal quality inside someone.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Kindness: the quality of being kind and caring (Use when focusing more on caring actions than general friendliness)
- •Friendliness: the quality of being friendly (Use in casual conversations about being nice)
- •Warmth: the feeling of being warm and kind (Use to describe emotional feeling more than behavior)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ami-" (from Latin "amare" meaning "to love") + "-ability" (a suffix meaning "the quality of being able to")
- •Etymology: Comes from Latin roots related to love and friendship, combined with English suffix to form a noun describing a quality
- •Historical development: First used in English in the 1600s to describe friendliness or pleasantness in behavior
- •Modern usage: Used to describe a person's friendly and pleasant nature, often in formal or polite speech
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does amiability affect the way people work or live together in groups?
•Can someone have amiability but still be shy or quiet? How would that look?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.Her amiability helped her ___ new friends quickly and easily.
2.People often appreciate amiability because it creates a ___ and welcoming atmosphere.
3.Amiability is different from politeness because it shows real ___, not just formal behavior.
4.When someone shows amiability, they usually ___ others' feelings carefully.
5.Amiability can make a difficult situation feel ___ and less stressful.
6.Unlike anger or rudeness, amiability ___ positive feelings in social groups.
7.A person with amiability often speaks in a ___ and gentle way that puts others at ease.