Xenial

Meaning

Xenial means friendly, welcoming, and hospitable toward guests or strangers, especially people from another place or culture.

Pronunciation

/ˈziː.ni.əl/

Word Forms

• Adjective: xenial
• Noun: xenia

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

• xenial relationship — a friendly and hospitable relationship between a host and a guest.
• xenial hospitality — warm and generous treatment of guests or strangers.
• xenial attitude — a welcoming attitude toward people from different backgrounds.
• xenial customs — customs involving hospitality and relations between hosts and guests.
• xenial spirit — a willingness to welcome and treat strangers warmly.
• xenial welcome — a particularly warm and hospitable reception.

Example Sentences

• The villagers were remarkably xenial toward the travelers who arrived after sunset.
• Her xenial nature made visitors feel welcome within minutes of entering her home.
• The hotel is known for its xenial atmosphere and generous hospitality.
• A xenial attitude can help people from different cultures form genuine connections.
• He offered the strangers a xenial welcome despite having never met them before.

Literary Example

Example:

“It’s simple to be xenial. Welcome others, especially strangers or guests, and make them feel at home.”

— Irene Latham and Charles Waters, Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z (2020)

Here, xenial is used in its literal sense of being welcoming and hospitable toward strangers or guests. The book dedicates an entire entry to the word and explores hospitality as a way of creating connection between people.

Story Workshop

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