What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Cordial vs Cantankerous - What's the difference?

cordial | cantankerous |

As adjectives the difference between cordial and cantankerous

is that cordial is hearty; sincere; warm; affectionate while cantankerous is given to or marked by an ill-tempered nature, ill-tempered, cranky, surly, crabby.

As a noun cordial

is (uk|au|nz) a concentrated noncarbonated soft drink which is diluted with water before drinking.

cordial

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Hearty; sincere; warm; affectionate.
  • * 1667 , '', 1859, Thomas Keightley (editor), ''The Poems of John Milton , Volume 1, page 381,
  • He, on his side / Leaning half raised, with looks of cordial love / Hung over her enamoured.
  • * 1885 , George Washington Schuyler, Colonial New York: Philip Schuyler and His Family , C. Scribner's Sons,
  • The relations between the Earl of Bellomont and Colonel Schuyler were formal, but not cordial from the first.
  • Said of someone radiating warmth and friendliness; genial.
  • * 1869 , ,
  • The sight of London warmed my heart with various emotions, such as a cordial man must draw from the heart of all humanity.
  • (rare) Tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate; giving strength or spirits.
  • * 1634 , (editor), ''The Poetical Works of John Milton , Volume 3, page 106,
  • And first behold this cordial julep here / That flames and dances in his crystal bounds, / With spirits of balm, and fragrant syrups mix'd.
  • (obsolete) Proceeding from the heart.
  • * 1667 , '', 1957, Merritt Yerkes Hughes (editor), ''Complete Poems and Major Prose , page 373,
  • Who stooping op'n'd my left side, and took / From thence a Rib with cordial spirits warm, / And Life-blood streaming fresh;

    Synonyms

    * heartfelt * (radiating warmth and friendliness) affable, amiable * (tending to revive) cheering, invigorating

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (UK, AU, NZ) A concentrated noncarbonated soft drink which is diluted with water before drinking.
  • (UK, AU, NZ) An individual serving of such a diluted drink.
  • A pleasant-tasting medicine.
  • A liqueur prepared using the infusion process.
  • * 1728 , '', Act III, Scene 1, in 1828, ''British Theatre, Comprising Tragedies, Comedies, Operas, and Farces , 827,
  • Lucy . But, miss Polly—in the way of friendship, will you give me leave to propose a glass of cordial to you ?
    Polly . Strong waters are apt to give me the headache.—I hope, madam, you will excuse me?
  • * 1908 , Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables , L. C. Page & Co.
  • [Marilla] had put the bottle of raspberry cordial down in the cellar instead of in the closet [...].
  • A candy (or bonbon) usually made of milk chocolate, filled with small fruits (often maraschino cherries) and syrup or fondant.
  • Hypernyms

    * liqueur

    cantankerous

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • given to or marked by an ill-tempered nature, ill-tempered, cranky, surly, crabby.
  • * 1839 , Fraser's magazine for town and country, Volume 20, p618
  • she is a cantankerous old maid fretting and snarling over the loss of her beauty.
  • * 1866 Every Saturday, Volume 2, p355
  • The great principle on which the privileges of cantankerous folly and ill-nature found is this: that as we go on through life we grow somewhat cowardly; and if a thing be disagreeable, we just keep out of its way: sometimes by rather shabby expedients.
  • * 1947 , John Courtenay Trewin, Plays of the year: Volume 47, 195
  • I am being cantankerous'''. Some days I feel so '''cantankerous I could take a machine-gun into the streets and shoot down the whole population of Hendon Central; I don't know why.
  • * 1998 , Pauline Chazan, The moral self, 80
  • By contrast, cantankerous and churlish people are contemptuously independent of others’ opinions, not caring enough about others and their views.
  • * 2004 , 386 F. 3d 192 - Jacques v. Dimarzio Inc
  • The cantankerous are those "marked by ill humor, irritability, and determination to disagree." Webster's New International Dictionary 328 (3d ed.1986).
  • * 2004 , 386 F. 3d 192 - Jacques v. Dimarzio Inc
  • All things being equal, a cantankerous person or a curmudgeon would be more secure by becoming more unpleasant.
  • * 2007 , Linda Francis Lee, The Devil in the Junior League, p44
  • Nina was thrilled, muttering her cantankerous joy that I was getting out of the house.
  • * from where is this quotation?
  • The cantankerous landlord always grumbled when asked to fix something.
  • * 2010 ,
  • Unfortunately, as Great-Aunt Bert could be a bit cantankerous , they were having to be creative
    Note: Cantankerous is generally used to describe an unpleasant elderly person in a slightly pejorative manner. However, the term can be used to people in general, livestock, and machinery as well.