friendly

¹friend·ly

adj \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 all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at amicable