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Kindly vs Cordial - What's the difference?

kindly | cordial | Related terms |

In obsolete terms the difference between kindly and cordial

is that kindly is natural while cordial is proceeding from the heart.

As adjectives the difference between kindly and cordial

is that kindly is having a kind personality while cordial is hearty; sincere; warm; affectionate.

As an adverb kindly

is in a kind manner, out of kindness.

As a noun cordial is

a concentrated noncarbonated soft drink which is diluted with water before drinking.

kindly

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Having a kind personality.
    • A kindly old man sits on the park bench every afternoon feeding pigeons.
  • * Tennyson
    • The shade by which my life was crossed has made me kindly with my kind.
  • (obsolete) Favourable; gentle; auspicious; beneficent.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • In soft silence shed the kindly shower.
  • * Wordsworth
    • should e'er a kindlier time ensue
  • (obsolete) natural
  • * Book of Common Prayer
    • the kindly fruits of the earth
  • * Spenser
    • an herd of bulls whom kindly rage doth sting
  • * L. Andrews
    • Whatsoever as the Son of God he may do, it is kindly for Him as the Son of Man to save the sons of men.

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • In a kind manner, out of kindness.
    • He kindly offered to take us to the station in his car.
  • * 1900 , L. Frank Baum , The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Chapter 23
    • She was both beautiful and young to their eyes. Her hair was a rich red in color and fell in flowing ringlets over her shoulders. Her dress was pure white but her eyes were blue, and they looked kindly upon the little girl.
  • in a favourable way.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=October 29 , author=Neil Johnston , title=Norwich 3 - 3 Blackburn , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Aguero was quick to block Hennessey's attempted clearance and the ball bounced kindly to Dzeko, who had the simplest of tasks to put City ahead.}}
  • Please; (used to make a polite request).
    • Kindly refrain from walking on the grass.
    Kindly move your car out of the front yard.
  • (US) With kind acceptance; .
    • I don't take kindly to threats.
    Aunt Daisy didn't take it kindly when we forgot her anniversary.

    Usage notes

    * (please) Kindly is used in a slightly more peremptory way than please. It is generally used to introduce a request with which the person addressed is expected to comply, and takes the edge off what would otherwise be a command. * (with kind acceptance) This sense is a ; it is usually found in questions and negative statements, as in the above example sentences.

    Synonyms

    * (in a kind manner) thoughtfully * (used to make polite requests) be so kind as to, please

    cordial

    English

    (wikipedia 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

    Related terms

    * cordiality * cordially

    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