sociable

Sociable is an adjective that describes a person or environment that enjoys the company of others or is inclined to seek social interaction. A sociable person tends to initiate conversation, participate in group activities, and make others feel welcome. The term can also describe settings or events that encourage social interaction, such as a sociable evening or a sociable atmosphere.

Etymology: The word derives from the Latin socialis through Old French sociable, entering English in the late 16th century. The related noun is sociability; the adverb is sociably.

Usage and nuance: Sociable is often contrasted with unsociable or antisocial, though it does not imply constant sociability in every situation. It overlaps with synonyms such as friendly, convivial, extroverted, and gregarious, yet each carries subtle nuances: sociable emphasizes willingness to engage with others; gregarious emphasizes enjoyment of large social groups; extroverted describes a broader personality trait.

In psychology, sociability is associated with the personality trait of extraversion and with social skills, although sociability alone does not measure competence in conversation or empathy.

Examples: "She is very sociable and enjoys meeting new people." "The party had a sociable atmosphere."

See also: sociability, extraversion, social interaction.