# welcoming

/ˈwɛɫkəmɪŋ/ (US) · /wˈɛlkʌmɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/welcoming
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. hospitable and friendly

adjective · CEFR A2

friendly and making you feel comfortable or happy to be in a place.

For teachers: behaving in a polite, friendly, or hospitable manner that makes a guest feel accepted.

- The hotel staff were very welcoming and helped us with our heavy bags.
- The locals were incredibly welcoming, offering us traditional tea and directions before we had even asked for assistance.

### 2. inviting or pleasant

adjective · CEFR B1

looking pleasant and making you want to go in or stay there.

For teachers: possessing qualities that appear inviting, comfortable, or aesthetically pleasing to an observer.

- The bright yellow paint made the front of the house look very welcoming.
- After a long hike in the rain, the glow of the fireplace made the cabin look incredibly welcoming.

### 3. the act of greeting

noun · CEFR B2

the act of greeting someone or showing them that you are happy they arrived.

For teachers: the action of greeting or receiving a person or thing in a specified manner.

- The welcoming of the new students took place in the main hall.
- The formal welcoming of the international delegates was handled with great diplomatic care by the ministry.

## Examples

- The hotel staff were very welcoming when we arrived.
- The local community was incredibly welcoming to the new family, bringing them food and advice on the first day.
- Despite the harsh winter outside, the tavern offered a welcoming atmosphere with its roaring fire and the soft murmur of friendly conversation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.