friendly

¹friend·ly

adjective \ˈfren(d)-lē\

friend·li·erfriend·li·est

Definition of FRIENDLY

1

: of, relating to, or befitting a friend: as

a : showing kindly interest and goodwill

b : not hostile <a friendly merger offer>; also : involving or coming from actions of one's own forces <friendly fire>

c : cheerful, comforting <the friendly glow of the fire>

2

: serving a beneficial or helpful purpose

3

: easy to use or understand <friendly computer software> —often used in combination <a reader-friendly layout>

4

: compatible, accommodating <environmentally friendly packaging> —often used in combination <a kid-friendly restaurant>

— friend·li·ly \ˈfren(d)-lə-lē\ adverb

— friend·li·ness noun

Examples of FRIENDLY

1. The local people are very friendly to visitors.
2. It was friendly of him to offer to help us.
3. His friendly smile was reassuring.
4. They maintained a friendly correspondence.
5. A friendly breeze helped us sail the boat into the harbor.

First Known Use of FRIENDLY

before 12th century

Related to FRIENDLY

Synonyms

amicable, bonhomous, buddy-buddy, chummy, collegial, companionable, comradely, cordial, genial, hail-fellow, hail-fellow-well-met, hearty, matey [chiefly British], neighborly, palsy, palsy-walsy [slang], warm, warmhearted

Antonyms

antagonistic, hostile, unfriendly

Related Words

affable, agreeable, approachable, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, nice, sweet; clubby, convivial, folksy, gregarious, hospitable, sociable, social; jolly, jovial, merry; extroverted (also extraverted), outgoing; brotherly, fraternal, sisterly; close, familiar, intimate; adoring, affectionate, devoted, fond, lovesome, loving, tender, tenderhearted

Near Antonyms

alienated, estranged; chilly, cold, cold-blooded, cool, frigid, frosty, glacial, icy, wintry (also wintery); unsociable, unsocial; aggressive, argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, disputatious, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent; inhospitable, inimical

See Synonym Discussion at amicable

²friendly

adverb

Definition of FRIENDLY

: in a friendly manner : amicably

First Known Use of FRIENDLY

before 12th century

Rhymes with FRIENDLY

cleanly

³friendly

noun

plural friendlies

Definition of FRIENDLY

1

: one that is friendly; especially : a native who is friendly to settlers or invaders

2

chiefly British : a match between sports teams and especially international teams that has no connection with league or championship play

First Known Use of FRIENDLY

1861