friendly

[frend-lee]

adjective

friendlier, friendliest 

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 friendlily in a friendly manner; like a friend.

noun

plural

friendlies 

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

friendly

¹

/ 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 called: friendly match. sport a match played for its own sake, and not as part of a competition, etc

-friendly

²

combining form

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

   ozone-friendly

Other Word Forms

• friendliness noun
• friendlily adverb
• prefriendly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of friendly¹

First recorded before 900; friend + -ly

Example Sentences

Friendly exes, Roger and Casey have a teasing rapport.

From Los Angeles Times

And more than with most forms of culture, sports are friendly to religious expression.

From Slate

They’ve struck a more friendly tone with the president during his second term as they push for a more hands-off approach to regulation while competing to dominate the artificial intelligence race.

From Los Angeles Times

And so, despite their warm greeting at the outset of the proceedings, the exchange did not end in a friendly manner.

From Slate

Washington’s revelation about the pronunciation of his name came when the friendly chat turned to the actor’s love of football and the Dallas Cowboys.

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 www.thesaurus.com