friendly
20 synonyms and 6 antonyms for friendly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Kind, warm, and easy to get along with.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use friendly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English freondlic, formed from friend plus the adjective suffix -ly.
Full origin of friendly →Frequently asked questions
What does “friendly” mean?
The word “friendly” means kind, warm, and easy to get along with. In plain terms, warm and welcoming in manner, or, as a noun, a casual match that doesn't affect rankings.
How do you pronounce “friendly”?
“Friendly” is pronounced FREHND-lee (/ˈfɹɛnd.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “friendly” in a sentence?
Here is “friendly” used in a sentence: “The waiter was friendly and helped us pick a great meal.”
What is another word for “friendly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “friendly” include affectionate, amiable, bonhomous, amicable, chummy and companionable.
What is the opposite of “friendly”?
The opposite of “friendly” — its antonyms — are hostile, unfriendly, non-friendly, nonfriendly and brusque.
What part of speech is “friendly”?
Depending on how it is used, “friendly” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “friendly” come from?
The word “friendly” comes from Old English. From Old English freondlic, formed from friend plus the adjective suffix -ly.
Is “friendly” a common word?
“Friendly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between friendly and kind?
Friendly describes a warm, sociable manner, being easy to talk to and pleasant company. Kind describes generous, caring actions that help or spare others. You can be friendly on the surface without being deeply kind, and quietly kind without being especially outgoing. Friendly is about warmth; kind is about goodwill in action.
What is the opposite of friendly?
The direct opposite is 'unfriendly', meaning cold or unwelcoming in manner. Stronger opposites include 'hostile', 'aloof', and 'standoffish', which suggest active dislike or distance. Where friendly invites people in and puts them at ease, its opposites push people away or keep them at arm's length.
Is friendly a positive word?
Yes, friendly is almost always positive, describing someone kind, warm, and easy to get along with. It is a compliment in everyday and professional settings alike. The only mild exception is a phrase like 'a bit too friendly', where tone can hint at over-familiarity, but the word itself stays favourable.