Agreeable vs. Amenable — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 24, 2023
Agreeable" describes something pleasant or likable, while "Amenable" indicates willingness or being responsive to suggestion.
Difference Between Agreeable and Amenable
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Agreeable" and "Amenable" are both adjectives with related but distinct meanings. "Agreeable" often refers to something that is pleasant or likable, whether it be a situation, an experience, or an individual's character. For instance, a sunny day can be described as agreeable. On the other hand, "Amenable" indicates a person's receptiveness or willingness to be persuaded or guided, typically by another person or some external factors.
To illustrate, while an agreeable person is delightful to be around because of their congenial nature, an amenable person might be appreciated for their flexibility and openness to ideas. In this light, an "agreeable" flavor can be pleasant to the palate, while someone "amenable" to suggestions is ready to consider or follow them.
Moreover, "Agreeable" has an element of compatibility; two things or people that fit well together are agreeable to each other. Conversely, "Amenable" involves a level of compliance or submissiveness, such as an employee being amenable to a supervisor's instructions.
In essence, while both words can describe positive attributes, "Agreeable" leans more towards pleasantness and likability, and "Amenable" highlights willingness, openness, or responsiveness.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Pleasant or likable.
Willing or responsive to suggestion.
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Grammatical Role
Typically used as an adjective.
Mostly used as an adjective.
Contextual Use
Descriptive of an experience or characteristic.
Describes a person's receptiveness or flexibility.
Relation to People
Personality or characteristic that is pleasant.
Willingness or openness to be guided or influenced.
Associated Concepts
Compatibility, congeniality.
Compliance, readiness, responsiveness.
Compare with Definitions
Agreeable
Willing or ready to consent.
She was agreeable to the terms of the contract.
Amenable
Willing to yield or submit.
She's amenable to feedback.
Agreeable
Compatible or suitable.
The colors are agreeable with each other.
Amenable
Easily managed or controlled.
The group was amenable under her leadership.
Agreeable
Pleasing to the senses.
The aroma from the bakery was agreeable.
Amenable
Ready to consent or accept.
They were amenable to the proposed changes.
Agreeable
Being in harmony; congenial.
Their personalities are quite agreeable.
Amenable
Willing to accept a suggestion or submit to authority
"a class that is all the more amenable to control for living perpetually under the threat of deportation" (Amitav Ghosh).
Agreeable
Pleasant or likable in nature.
The climate in spring is very agreeable.
Amenable
Ready to consent; agreeable
Are you amenable to a change in schedule?.
Agreeable
To one's liking; pleasing
Agreeable weather.
Amenable
Responsible to higher authority; accountable
Amenable to the law.
Agreeable
Suitable; conformable
A practice agreeable to the law.
Amenable
Susceptible or open, as to testing or criticism
"The phenomenon of mind ... is much more complex, though also more amenable to scientific investigation, than anyone suspected" (Michael D. Lemonick).
Agreeable
Ready to consent or submit
I am agreeable to your plan.
Amenable
Willing to respond to persuasion or suggestions.
Agreeable
Able to agree; possible to be agreed.
Amenable
Willing to comply; easily led.
Agreeable
Pleasant to the senses or the mind.
A man with agreeable manners
Not completely agreeable remarks
She's quite an agreeable person
This fruit has an agreeable taste
Amenable
Liable to be brought to account, to a charge or claim; responsible; accountable; answerable.
Agreeable
(dated) Willing; ready to agree or consent.
Amenable
(law) Liable to the legal authority of (something).
Decisions of the Boards of Appeal are amenable to actions before the Court of Justice of the European Communities
Agreeable
Agreeing or suitable; followed by with}}.
Amenable
Being a locally compact topological group carrying a kind of averaging operation on bounded functions that is invariant under translation by group elements.
Agreeable
(used adverbially) Pursuant, conformant, accordant.
Agreeable to the order of the day, the House took up the report.
Amenable
Easy to be led; governable, as a woman by her husband.
Agreeable
Something pleasing; anything that is agreeable.
Amenable
Liable to be brought to account or punishment; answerable; responsible; accountable; as, amenable to law.
Nor is man too diminutive . . . to be amenable to the divine government.
Agreeable
Pleasing, either to the mind or senses; pleasant; grateful; as, agreeable manners or remarks; an agreeable person; fruit agreeable to the taste.
A train of agreeable reveries.
Amenable
Liable to punishment, a charge, a claim, etc.
Agreeable
Willing; ready to agree or consent.
These Frenchmen give unto the said captain of Calais a great sum of money, so that he will be but content and agreeable that they may enter into the said town.
Amenable
Willing to yield or submit; responsive; tractable.
Sterling . . . always was amenable enough to counsel.
Agreeable
Agreeing or suitable; conformable; correspondent; concordant; adapted; - followed by to, rarely by with.
That which is agreeable to the nature of one thing, is many times contrary to the nature of another.
Amenable
Disposed or willing to comply;
Someone amenable to persuasion
The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak
Agreeable
In pursuance, conformity, or accordance; - in this sense used adverbially for agreeably; as, agreeable to the order of the day, the House took up the report.
Amenable
Readily reacting to suggestions and influences;
A responsive student
Agreeable
Suitable to your needs or similar to your nature;
A congenial atmosphere to work in
Two congenial spirits united...by mutual confidence and reciprocal virtues
Amenable
Liable to answer to a higher authority;
The president is amenable to the constitutional court
Agreeable
To your own liking or feelings or nature;
Is the plan agreeable to you?
He's an agreeable fellow
My idea of an agreeable person...is a person who agrees with me
An agreeable manner
Amenable
Responsive to advice or suggestion.
He's amenable to trying new things.
Agreeable
In keeping;
Salaries agreeable with current trends
Plans conformable with your wishes
Expressed views concordant with his background
Amenable
Being accountable or answerable.
He's amenable for his actions.
Agreeable
Prepared to agree or consent;
Agreeable to the plan
Common Curiosities
Can an object be described as "Amenable"?
Typically, "Amenable" describes people, but metaphorically, it might apply to objects in certain contexts.
Do "Agreeable" and "Amenable" mean the same thing?
While related, "Agreeable" means pleasant, while "Amenable" indicates willingness.
Is someone who's "Agreeable" always "Amenable"?
Not necessarily. One can be pleasant (agreeable) without being open to suggestions (amenable).
Does "Agreeable" always mean likable?
Often, but it can also denote compatibility or suitability.
Can music be "Agreeable"?
Yes, if it's pleasing to the ear, it's agreeable.
Is someone amenable always compliant?
"Amenable" suggests a willingness or openness, but not necessarily blind compliance.
Can a company be "Amenable" to changes?
Yes, a company can be amenable, meaning it's open to changes.
Can "Agreeable" relate to flavors?
Yes, a taste or flavor can be described as agreeable if it's pleasing.
Does "Amenable" imply obedience?
It implies a level of openness or willingness, which can sometimes be interpreted as obedience.
Which word is more passive: "Agreeable" or "Amenable"?
"Amenable" tends to be more passive as it suggests responsiveness or compliance.
Is "Agreeable" always a positive trait?
Generally, it's seen as positive, but excessive agreeability could be viewed negatively in some situations.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
