friend·ly
ˈfren(d)-lē 
friendlier; friendliest
1
: of, relating to, or befitting a friend: such as
a
: showing kindly interest and goodwill
friendly neighbors
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
A friendly breeze finally drove the boat into harbor.
3
a
: easy to use or understand
friendly computer software
—often used in combinationa reader-friendly layout
b
: designed or intended to accommodate particular needs, users, etc.
—usually used in combination
a kid-friendly restaurant
… providing a more business-friendly and professional environment …—
Matt Miller
see also user-friendly
Matt Miller4
: not causing or likely to cause harm
environmentally friendly packaging [=packaging that does not damage the environment]
—often used in combinationan eco-friendly vehicle
plural friendlies
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
Synonyms
Examples of friendly in a Sentence
Adjective
The local people are very friendly to visitors.
It was friendly of him to offer to help us.
His friendly smile was reassuring.
They maintained a friendly correspondence.
A friendly breeze helped us sail the boat into the harbor.
Recent Examples on the WebElias Ferrer Breda, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
Government regulations could also catalyze a push towards making the smartphone industry more environmentally friendly.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2023
But Oscar voters aren’t always friendly toward nondramatic performances.
—Randee Dawn, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023
In a friendly gesture toward U.S.-Chinese relations, Jinping had suggested this week that giant pandas may return to California zoos.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 19 Nov. 2023
The inaugural event culminates at Snapdragon, which last month hosted a U.S. women’s national team friendly against Colombia and on Saturday hosts the NWSL championship game at 5 p.m. between OL Reign and Gotham FC.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2023
However, even when the environment became more friendly, the world was not suddenly filled with redwoods and whales and humans.
—Eliot Bush, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2023
Privett is fifty-four, with a friendly, relaxed, slightly mischievous vibe.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
Natural systems are the most cost effective and environmentally friendly way to promote biodiversity, Schwendler said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 Oct. 2023
Gabriela Izquierdo, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2023
Planned performances resumed Friday, and a program nothing if not audience friendly filled plenty of seats at the Meyerson Symphony Center.
—Dallas News, 4 Feb. 2023
The couple, parents of two young children, felt something more family friendly fit their lives in 2022.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2022
Wednesday had a friendly-looking cloud and a few raindrops, and Thursday had a dark, threatening cloud with heavier drops.
—F. Martin Ralph, Scientific American, 19 Aug. 2022
Midtown offices offers an excellent view — especially of the giant purple robot and friendly-looking hot dog that are waving from behind skyscrapers.
—Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 28 July 2022
Events for May 26 include a stress management program 10-11 a.m., low vision tips and tricks noon to 1 p.m. and friendly beat the champs chair volleyball and corn hole competitions 1-2 p.m.
—Carol Kovach, cleveland, 24 May 2022
Sixty years ago, friendly-faced host Jim McKay welcomed viewers to a live broadcast of the Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.
—BostonGlobe.com, 24 Apr. 2021
As the coronavirus pandemic squeezes household budgets, workers and employers alike are increasingly turning to pay-advance apps with friendly-sounding names like Earnin, Dave, Brigit and Rain.
—Tara Siegel Bernard, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2020
Lauren Thomas, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023
Ahead of a pair of April friendlies, the USWNT roster seemed largely settled.
—Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 21 June 2023
Swift would be there, as would a gaggle of Swift friendlies: Molly Sims, Maren Morris, Fortune Feimster.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2023
Midfielders Sam Coffey and Crystal Dunn were named to the 27-player USWNT roster for friendlies during the September FIFA window, the team announced Tuesday.
—oregonlive, 12 Sep. 2023
Soccer friendlies have a long and successful history in the U.S. and at AT&T Stadium.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas News, 28 July 2023
All European qualifiers, UEFA Nations League ties and friendlies between major tournaments will be shown on ITV from September 2024 through to June 2028.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Sep. 2023
After the South Africa matches, the U.S. team is expected to play two friendlies in the Oct. 23-31 international window and two between Nov. 27 and Dec. 5.
—Steven Goff, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023
The team went 2-0 in a pair of friendlies against Uzbekistan and Oman.
—Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
See More
Adjective
However, many Caribbean states have also been friendly to the governments of Hugo Chavez and Maduro.
—Elias Ferrer Breda, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
Government regulations could also catalyze a push towards making the smartphone industry more environmentally friendly.
—Lionel Lim, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2023
But Oscar voters aren’t always friendly toward nondramatic performances.
—Randee Dawn, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023
In a friendly gesture toward U.S.-Chinese relations, Jinping had suggested this week that giant pandas may return to California zoos.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 19 Nov. 2023
The inaugural event culminates at Snapdragon, which last month hosted a U.S. women’s national team friendly against Colombia and on Saturday hosts the NWSL championship game at 5 p.m. between OL Reign and Gotham FC.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2023
However, even when the environment became more friendly, the world was not suddenly filled with redwoods and whales and humans.
—Eliot Bush, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2023
Privett is fifty-four, with a friendly, relaxed, slightly mischievous vibe.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
Natural systems are the most cost effective and environmentally friendly way to promote biodiversity, Schwendler said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 Oct. 2023
Adverb
Weighing only 2 pounds, the tabletop grill is small space and camping-friendly—made for balconies, camping, and patios.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2023
Planned performances resumed Friday, and a program nothing if not audience friendly filled plenty of seats at the Meyerson Symphony Center.
—Dallas News, 4 Feb. 2023
The couple, parents of two young children, felt something more family friendly fit their lives in 2022.
—Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2022
Wednesday had a friendly-looking cloud and a few raindrops, and Thursday had a dark, threatening cloud with heavier drops.
—F. Martin Ralph, Scientific American, 19 Aug. 2022
Midtown offices offers an excellent view — especially of the giant purple robot and friendly-looking hot dog that are waving from behind skyscrapers.
—Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 28 July 2022
Events for May 26 include a stress management program 10-11 a.m., low vision tips and tricks noon to 1 p.m. and friendly beat the champs chair volleyball and corn hole competitions 1-2 p.m.
—Carol Kovach, cleveland, 24 May 2022
Sixty years ago, friendly-faced host Jim McKay welcomed viewers to a live broadcast of the Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.
—BostonGlobe.com, 24 Apr. 2021
As the coronavirus pandemic squeezes household budgets, workers and employers alike are increasingly turning to pay-advance apps with friendly-sounding names like Earnin, Dave, Brigit and Rain.
—Tara Siegel Bernard, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2020
Noun
Jones made his competitive debut with the USMNT in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, after being called up to compete in friendlies.
—Lauren Thomas, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023
Ahead of a pair of April friendlies, the USWNT roster seemed largely settled.
—Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 21 June 2023
Swift would be there, as would a gaggle of Swift friendlies: Molly Sims, Maren Morris, Fortune Feimster.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2023
Midfielders Sam Coffey and Crystal Dunn were named to the 27-player USWNT roster for friendlies during the September FIFA window, the team announced Tuesday.
—oregonlive, 12 Sep. 2023
Soccer friendlies have a long and successful history in the U.S. and at AT&T Stadium.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas News, 28 July 2023
All European qualifiers, UEFA Nations League ties and friendlies between major tournaments will be shown on ITV from September 2024 through to June 2028.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Sep. 2023
After the South Africa matches, the U.S. team is expected to play two friendlies in the Oct. 23-31 international window and two between Nov. 27 and Dec. 5.
—Steven Goff, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023
The team went 2-0 in a pair of friendlies against Uzbekistan and Oman.
—Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'friendly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing friendly
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Dictionary Entries Near friendly
Cite this Entry
“Friendly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/friendly. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
friendly
1 of 2 adjective
friend·ly
ˈfren-dlē
friendlier; friendliest
: of, relating to, or right for a friend: as
a
: showing kindly interest and goodwill
a friendly gesture
b
: not hostile
friendly natives
d
: bringing comfort or cheer
the friendly glow of the fire
e
: accommodating, compatible
environmentally friendly packaging
—often used in combinationa kid-friendly restaurant
friendliness
noun
friendly
2 of 2 noun
plural friendlies
: a person who is friendly or cooperative
Legal Definition
friendly
adjective
friend·ly
: agreeable to those affected : not hostile
a friendly takeover
More from Merriam-Webster on friendly
Nglish: Translation of friendly for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of friendly for Arabic Speakers
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