agreeableness
C1formal/academic
Definition
Meaning
The pleasant quality of being friendly, kind, and easy to get along with; likeability.
In psychology, one of the five major personality traits in the Big Five model, characterized by compassion, cooperation, trust, and a tendency to avoid conflict. In general use, it refers to the state or quality of being pleasant, harmonious, or suitable.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an abstract noun describing a personal quality or trait. Often used in psychological and personal development contexts. Can imply a degree of passivity or conformity when overemphasized.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. Slightly more common in formal British writing; in American English, 'likability' is a frequent near-synonym in everyday contexts.
Connotations
In both, carries positive connotations of harmony. In critical contexts, can imply a lack of critical edge or a desire to please excessively.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in everyday speech; high frequency in academic psychology texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject]'s agreeablenessthe agreeableness of [noun]agreeableness toward(s) [person/group]agreeableness in [situation]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A sunny disposition (related concept)”
- “To be easy to get on with (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in HR or team dynamics reports: 'The candidate's agreeableness is an asset for client-facing roles.'
Academic
Common in psychology and sociology: 'The study correlated high agreeableness with prosocial behavior.'
Everyday
Uncommon in casual speech. Would be replaced by 'niceness' or 'likability': 'Her general agreeableness makes her popular.'
Technical
Core term in personality psychology: 'Agreeableness is a domain in the NEO-PI-R personality inventory.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- He nodded agreeably to the proposal.
American English
- She smiled agreeably and continued the tour.
adjective
British English
- His agreeable nature was evident.
- She found him most agreeable.
American English
- He's an agreeable guy to work with.
- The terms were agreeable to all parties.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Everyone likes him because of his agreeableness.
- Agreeableness is a good quality in a friend.
- Her natural agreeableness made her an excellent mediator in the dispute.
- The team's success was partly due to the general agreeableness among its members.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: AGREE + ABLE + NESS. The state of being able to agree/get along.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERSONALITY IS A LANDSCAPE (agreeableness is the smooth, pleasant terrain); SOCIAL INTERACTION IS CHEMISTRY (agreeableness is a lubricant or catalyst).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'согласие' (agreement/consent). Closer to 'доброжелательность', 'приятность в общении', or the psychological term 'добросовестность/уживчивость'. Avoid literal translation of the root 'agree'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean 'agreement' (use 'agreement').
- Pronouncing it as /əˈɡriːəbəlnəs/ (wrong syllable stress).
- Using it in informal contexts where simpler words ('niceness') fit better.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'agreeableness' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'agreeableness' is the noun form of the quality described by the adjective 'agreeable'. It names the trait.
In certain contexts, yes. Excessive agreeableness can be perceived as a lack of assertiveness, critical thinking, or the ability to engage in necessary conflict.
No, it is a formal, low-frequency word. In everyday situations, people use simpler words like 'niceness', 'friendliness', or 'likability'.
Academic psychology, specifically in personality theory (the Big Five/OCEAN model). It is a standard technical term there.