neighborly

adjective

neigh·​bor·​ly ˈnā-bər-lē 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of congenial neighbors

especially : friendly

a neighborly welcome

neighborliness noun

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for neighborly

amicable, neighborly, friendly mean exhibiting goodwill and an absence of antagonism.

amicable implies a state of peace and a desire on the part of the parties not to quarrel.

maintained amicable relations

neighborly implies a disposition to live on good terms with others and to be helpful on principle.

neighborly concern

friendly stresses cordiality and often warmth or intimacy of personal relations.

sought friendly advice

Examples of neighborly in a Sentence

She was friendly in a neighborly way.

they were neighborly folks, always ready to lend a helping hand whenever necessary

Recent Examples on the Web

His neighborly attitude comes through every sentence. —Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2025

The list of grievances paints a vivid picture of the many ways neighborly relations can sour. Visitors at all hours: One respondent shared how their neighbor's constant visitors even began knocking on their door. —David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025

And for a moment, this neighborly interaction, like dozens before it in simpler times, lightens the mental load. —Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Mar. 2025

Metis was also the warren of narrow city streets, perhaps built over old cow paths, that both represented and generated a thick network of intimate and practical neighborly relationships. —Nikil Saval, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1558, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

neighborly

adjective

neigh·​bor·​ly ˈnā-bər-lē 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of neighbors

especially : friendly

a neighborly welcome

neighborliness noun