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

Offscreen neighborly voices emerge through the vents and the duo’s microuniverse finds even more quaint joy in updates about a dog from upstairs. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2024

An act of neighborly kindness, after all, of sympathy. —Sigrid Nunez, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2024

Some of this neighborly connection is likely the result of all the work and coordination involved in shutting a road to traffic. —Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 29 July 2024

When asked why his city has been so prolific, Kimball pointed to its sense of neighborly community and the power of word of mouth. —Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2024

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