sociable

1 of 2

adjective

so·​cia·​ble ˈsō-shə-bəl How to pronounce sociable (audio)
Synonyms of sociablenext
1
: inclined by nature to companionship with others of the same species : social
2
a
: inclined to seek or enjoy companionship
b
: marked by or conducive to friendliness or pleasant social relations
sociableness noun
sociably
ˈsō-shə-blē How to pronounce sociable (audio)
adverb

sociable

2 of 2

noun

: social sense 1

Synonyms of sociable

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for sociable

gracious, cordial, affable, genial, sociable mean markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse.

gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration.

the gracious award winner thanked her colleagues

cordial stresses warmth and heartiness.

our host was cordial as he greeted us

affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals.

though wealthy, she was affable to all

genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality.

a genial companion with a ready quip

sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others.

sociable people who enjoy entertaining

Examples of sociable in a Sentence

Adjective They are sociable people who enjoy having parties. They had a very sociable evening.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
And a few sociable dinners around the United States even make nudity a requirement, including the Füde Dinner Experiences that have popped up in New York and Los Angeles. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 Etna is a sociable fellow, but his conversations with other animals never indulge in pleasantries. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Club meetings, even sociable ones, are supposed to start at the hour named. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 Wells' parents have described him as a peacemaker who shied away from confrontation, and his football coach at Southwest Mississippi Community College said the wide receiver was sociable and the type of person who never met a stranger. — ABC News, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sociable

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin sociabilis, from sociare to join, associate, from socius

First Known Use

Adjective

1511, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1750, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sociable was in 1511

Rhymes for sociable

See All Rhymes for sociable

Browse Nearby Words

sociability
sociable
sociableness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sociable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sociable. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sociable

1 of 2 adjective
so·​cia·​ble ˈsō-shə-bəl How to pronounce sociable (audio)
1
: likely to seek or enjoy companionship : affable, friendly
sociable people
2
: leading to friendliness or pleasant social relations
sociably
-blē How to pronounce sociable (audio)
adverb

sociable

2 of 2 noun
: social entry 2
Etymology

Adjective

from early French sociable "social, sociable," from Latin sociabilis (same meaning), from sociare "to join, associate," from socius "ally, companion" — related to associate

More from Merriam-Webster on sociable

Nglish: Translation of sociable for Spanish Speakers

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