cordially

/ˈkɔːdiəli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɔːrdʒəli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkȯrj-lē ˈkȯr-jə-; US sometimes and British usually ˈkȯr-dē-ə-lē/ (ame, mw)

cordially — adverb

1. with a warm, respectful manner that still sounds fairly formal.

1.副詞C1
釋義

with a warm, respectful manner that still sounds fairly formal.

例句

Hui cordially welcomed the new teachers to the spring festival dinner.

cordially welcome someone

The host cordially thanked every guest at the end of the fundraiser.

同義詞
  • warmly

    less formal and often more openly emotional

  • courteously

    stresses good manners and sounds slightly more official

  • graciously

    suggests generous, polished kindness

反義詞
  • rudely

    shows bad manners or disrespect

  • coldly

    lacks warmth even if the words stay correct

文法句型

cordially welcome someone

cordially thank someone

cordially offer someone something

用法筆記

Mostly used in host language, introductions, and other careful social settings. Distinguish from sense 2 (FORMAL INVITATION): this sense describes someone's manner in real interaction, not a fixed printed formula.

常見錯誤

❌The host welcomed us cordial.
✅The host welcomed us cordially.
💡use the adverb when you describe how an action is done.
❌She cordially is to everyone at work.
✅She is cordial to everyone at work.
💡use cordial after be, but cordially with an action verb.

2. as a courteous formula in invitations, requests, and similar official wording.

2.副詞C1
釋義

as a courteous formula in invitations, requests, and similar official wording.

例句

The invitation cordially requests your presence at the opening ceremony.

cordially requests your presence

Parents are cordially invited to meet the principal on Friday evening.

are cordially invited to

同義詞
  • formally

    focuses on official style but does not always add the same polite warmth

  • courteously

    close in tone, though less tied to fixed invitation wording

反義詞
  • bluntly

    states a request directly without polite framing

  • curtly

    sounds short and unfriendly

文法句型

are cordially invited to

are cordially requested to

cordially requests your presence

用法筆記

Most common in invitations, notices, and ceremonial messages, especially in passive patterns such as are cordially invited or are cordially requested. Distinguish from sense 1 (WARM COURTESY): here cordially often functions as set wording rather than visible warmth.

常見錯誤

❌Parents are cordially to meet the principal.
✅Parents are cordially invited to meet the principal.
💡this formula normally needs a verb such as invited or requested.
❌The sign cordially the guests to stay seated.
✅The sign cordially requested the guests to stay seated.
💡cordially modifies the request verb, not the noun.

3. as the closing word placed above a signature in a formal letter or email.

3.副詞B2
釋義

as the closing word placed above a signature in a formal letter or email.

例句

At the end of the complaint letter, Ilan typed 'Cordially' above his name.

Cordially before signature

The email to the embassy ended with 'Cordially yours' and Sayaka's signature.

Cordially yours as formal closing

同義詞

文法句型

Cordially before signature

Cordially yours as formal closing

用法筆記

Used almost only as a sign-off before a name or title at the end of correspondence. Distinguish from sense 2 (FORMAL INVITATION): sense 2 appears inside the message body, while this sense appears at the end.

常見錯誤

❌Using 'Cordially' in the middle of a formal email sentence.
✅Use it as the closing line above your signature.
💡this sense is a sign-off, not a normal manner adverb inside the sentence.
❌Ending 'Dear Sir or Madam' with 'Cordially yours' in a British-style letter.
✅Use 'Yours faithfully' instead.
💡British convention changes the closing when the recipient is unnamed.

4. so strongly that the negative feeling, especially dislike, is impossible to miss

4.副詞C2
釋義

so strongly that the negative feeling, especially dislike, is impossible to miss.

例句

After the betrayal, Kwame cordially detested the company's new director.

cordially detest = strongly dislike

Many locals cordially disliked the plan to close the clinic.

同義詞
  • vehemently

    stresses forceful opposition, often in speech or argument

  • bitterly

    adds resentment or pain to the dislike

反義詞
  • warmly

    shows friendly feeling instead of hostility

  • fondly

    expresses affection rather than dislike

文法句型

cordially dislike

cordially detest

cordially loathe

用法筆記

Usually literary, ironic, or old-fashioned, and it nearly always pairs with verbs such as dislike, hate, detest, and loathe. Distinguish from sense 5 (WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT): both intensify a feeling, but this sense points to strong negative feeling.

常見錯誤

❌The team cordially won the match.
✅The team comfortably won the match.
💡this sense does not mean easily; it strengthens dislike.
❌I cordially enjoy early train rides.
✅I thoroughly enjoy early train rides.
💡this negative-intensity sense does not fit positive enjoyment.

5. with wholehearted emphasis that shows eager approval, recommendation, or support

5.副詞C2
釋義

with wholehearted emphasis that shows eager approval, recommendation, or support.

例句

The journal cordially endorses this year's reading list for teachers.

cordially endorse = strongly support

I cordially recommend the night market dumplings near the river.

cordially recommend

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

cordially endorse

cordially recommend

cordially support

cordially approve of

用法筆記

Often sounds formal or slightly old-fashioned and is most natural with endorse, recommend, support, and approve. Distinguish from sense 4 (STRONG DISLIKE): this sense intensifies approval, backing, or recommendation rather than hostility.

常見錯誤

❌The committee cordially hated the proposal.
✅The committee cordially endorsed the proposal.
💡this sense goes with approval or recommendation, not dislike.
❌I cordially invite you to dinner.
✅I cordially recommend the restaurant.
💡inviting someone belongs to sense 2, the set-formula use.