friendly

[ frend-lee ]

adjective

, friend·li·er, friend·li·est.

1. characteristic of or befitting a friend; showing friendship:

   a friendly greeting.

   Synonyms: neighborly, companionable

2. like a friend; kind; helpful:

   a little friendly advice.

   Synonyms: cordial, amiable, kindly, kindhearted, affectionate, genial

3. favorably disposed; inclined to approve, help, or support:

   a friendly bank.

   Synonyms: propitious, sympathetic, favorable, helpful, well-disposed, benevolent

   Antonyms: antagonistic

4. not hostile or at variance; amicable:

   a friendly warship;

   friendly natives.

5. easy to use, operate, understand, etc. (usually used in combination):

   a consumer-friendly instruction manual;

   a friendly food processor.

6. able to coexist with something without harm or trouble (usually used in combination):

   environmentally friendly building materials;

   a child-friendly restaurant.

adverb

1. Also friend·li·ly []. in a friendly manner; like a friend.

noun

, plural friend·lies.

1. a person who is in sympathetic relationship to oneself or one's side; an ally or supporter.

-friendly

¹

combining form

1. helpful, easy, or good for the person or thing specified

   ozone-friendly

friendly

²

/ ˈfrɛndlɪ /

adjective

1. showing or expressing liking, goodwill, or trust

   a friendly smile

2. on the same side; not hostile
3. tending or disposed to help or support; favourable

   a friendly breeze helped them escape

noun

1. Also calledfriendly match sport a match played for its own sake, and not as part of a competition, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈfriendliness, noun
• ˈfriendlily, adverb

Other Words From

• friend·li·ness noun
• pre·friend·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of friendly¹

First recorded before 900; friend + -ly

Example Sentences

A more environmentally friendly method, the researchers say, is to create nanofibers directly from a starch-rich ingredient like flour, which is the basis for pasta.

From Science Daily

A lot of the markers of show business are not friendly to me, like a Step and Repeat is my absolute worst nightmare.”

From Los Angeles Times

At 10am, red lights flashed up on a map of Britain as prepayment meters ran out of money, and the firm extended “friendly credit” to avoid a middle-of-the-night cut off.

From BBC

Boyle Heights and the MacArthur Park area, gaining their trust through friendly conversation in order to kidnap and rob their victims at gunpoint, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

Hayes and her team head to England next week for a friendly at Wembley Stadium.

From BBC

Related Words

• affable
• affectionate
• amiable
• amicable
• attentive
• beneficial
• chummy
• cordial
• familiar
• favorable
• good
• helpful
• loving
• loyal
• neighborly
• peaceful
• receptive
• sympathetic
• welcoming