Are amiable and amicable the same?
She is an amiable person.
They reached an amicable agreement.
The agreement was amiable.
She is an amicable person.
Both amiable and amicable are adjectives (i.e., describing words) that have to do with pleasant or friendly feelings. The difference boils down to the correct contexts in which we should use either word:
We use amiable to describe someone as friendly or sociable, or something that pleases (or has a pleasing quality).
Amicable, on the other hand, describes when something that is, “done or achieved in a polite or friendly way and without arguing”; e.g., “an amicable agreement“. The distinction between them is clearer in how we use both:
Everyone knew him as an amiable fellow.
They managed to maintain amicable relations even after a messy divorce.
Therefore, amicable applies mostly to relations, situations, negotiations, or interactions; amiable describes people, attitudes, and dispositions.
“Amiable” / “amicable”, used in sentences
| Amiable, used in sentences |
|---|
| He seemed an amiable young man.
So amiable was the mood of the meeting that a decision was soon reached. He was amiable and charming, and he possessed an ability to make people feel comfortable in his presence. |
| Amicable, used in sentences |
|---|
| An amicable settlement was reached.
Despite their disagreement, they parted on amicable terms. It was an amicable divorce. The government and the union managed to reach an amicable settlement of the dispute. |
Amicable, synonyms
- amiable
- civil
- cordial
- courteous
- harmonious
- neighbourly
- peaceful
- polite
Amiable and amicable, associate “amiable” with “able”—a person is able to be friendly (amiable). Amicable agreements are achieved amicably, without conflict.
Amiable, synonyms
- affable
- amicable
- charming
- cheerful
- cordial
- delightful
- engaging
- friendly
- genial
- good-humoured
- good-natured
Word origin (of amicable/amiable)
Early 15c., “pleasant,” from Late Latin amicabilis “friendly,” a word in Roman law, from Latin amicus “friend,” ultimately from amare “to love”.
Late 14c., “kindly, friendly,” also “worthy of love or admiration,” from Old French amiable “pleasant, kind; worthy to be loved” (12c.), from Late Latin amicabilis “friendly,” from Latin amicus “friend, loved one,” noun use of an adjective, “friendly, loving”.
Read about other commonly confused words
Worksheet
Which word is used to describe a friendly person according to the blog post?
According to the blog post, which word should you use to describe a friendly agreement reached without arguing?
The blog post states that amiable describes people, attitudes, and what else?
Which of the following is NOT typically described by the word “amicable” according to the blog post?
Based on the examples in the post, which word correctly completes the sentence: “She was known for her ____ smile.”?
Everyone knew him as an ______ fellow.
They managed to maintain ______ relations even after a messy divorce.
A(n) ______ settlement was reached after the dispute.
His ______ nature made him approachable.
The negotiations concluded on ______ terms.
FAQs
Are amiable and amicable the same?
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When should I use amiable?
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When should I use amicable?
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Can amiable describe an agreement?
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Can amicable describe a person?
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Yash, D. "When to Use Amiable or Amicable?." Grammarflex, Jun 25, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/when-to-use-amiable-or-amicable/.
Sources
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Oxford Learner’s Dictionary on “amiable” and “amicable”. Accessed 31 March 2024. Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of amicable.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/amicable. Accessed 31 March 2024.
