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

And some dogs that had been described as friendly were re-categorized as available to rescue groups, but not the general public, because they were now deemed to have behavioral issues.

From Los Angeles Times

To make the tradition more environmentally friendly, this year the tree is travelling to the capital by electric truck and a new tree has been planted in Oslo, to replace it.

From BBC

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

“This committee will become partisan if we vote to release a report on any member,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., told Politico, which described the lawmaker as being “friendly with Gaetz.”

From Salon

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

Related Words

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