simpatico

See also: simpático

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian simpatico or Spanish simpático (“nice, likeable”), ultimately from Ancient Greek σῠμπᾰ́θειᾰ (sumpátheia, “sympathy”, literally “suffering together”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /sɪmˈpa.tɪ.kəʊ/
• (US) IPA^(key): /sɪmˈpæ.tə.koʊ/, /sɪmˈpɑ.tə.koʊ/

Adjective

simpatico (comparative more simpatico, superlative most simpatico)

1. (of a person) Having a compatible temperament or pleasing qualities.
   • 2019 June 8, Kitty Empire, “Madonna: Madame X review – a splendidly bizarre return to form”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

     Colombia is a red herring, however. The songs that became Madame X actually came together during Madonna’s two years in Portugal, where she decamped in 2017 when her son David enrolled in Benfica’s football academy. Madonna absorbed the local sounds with more of a mature, simpatico rather than asset-stripping eye.

2. Compatible (with a person, thing, etc).
   • 2011 April 6, Ann Beattie, Love Always, Vintage, →ISBN:

     This meant that one morning Hildon would wake up and realize that he and Lucy were not simpatico. She was afraid because this happened so often—she dreaded it—but the truth was that she did not fear men individually.

   • 2015, Joanna Neil, Temptation in Paradise, Harlequin, →ISBN, page 97:

     'You're my boss, and perhaps it's a good thing we're not simpático. In fact, I think it's probably for the best if we keep a certain distance between us.' To her surprise, he nodded. 'At work, yes—you are quite right.'

   • 2017 May 8, Cindi Madsen, Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny, Entangled: Embrace, →ISBN:

     "Basically, right now, you and math are just not...simpatico."

Italian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /simˈpa.ti.ko/
• Rhymes: -atiko
• Hyphenation: sim‧pà‧ti‧co

Etymology 1

From simpatia (“sympathy”) +‎ -ico (“-ic, -ical”), ultimately from Ancient Greek σῠμπᾰ́θειᾰ (sumpátheia, “sympathy”, literally “suffering together”).

Adjective

simpatico (feminine simpatica, masculine plural simpatici, feminine plural simpatiche, superlative simpaticissimo)

1. nice, pleasing, popular, cute, amusing, funny

   Synonyms: piacevole, gradevole, divertente

   Antonym: antipatico

2. sympathetic, invisible (of ink)

   Synonym: invisibile

Derived terms

• simpaticità
• simpaticamente

Noun

simpatico m (plural simpatici, feminine simpatica)

1. a nice, pleasing, popular, cute, amusing or funny person

   Antonym: antipatico

Derived terms

• simpaticone

Related terms

• simpatetico
• simpatizzante
• simpatizzare

 

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Ancient Greek σῠμπᾰθῐκός (sumpathikós), adjectival form of σῠμπᾰ́θειᾰ (sumpátheia, “sympathy, fellow feeling”, literally “suffering together”).

Adjective

simpatico (feminine simpatica, masculine plural simpatici, feminine plural simpatiche)

1. (anatomy) sympathetic

Derived terms

• parasimpatico
• simpaticolitico
• simpaticomimetico
• simpaticotonico

 

Noun

simpatico m (plural simpatici)

1. (anatomy) sympathetic nervous system, automatic nervous system

   Synonym: sistema nervoso simpatico

Related terms

• simpamina