friendly
FREHND-lee
Friendly (adjective) means Kind, warm, and easy to get along with. Example: “The waiter was friendly and helped us pick a great meal.”
adjective
1
Kind, warm, and easy to get along with.
"The waiter was friendly and helped us pick a great meal."
"Their dog is friendly toward strangers."
"Our new neighbours are friendly and often wave when we pass in the street."
2
Not harmful or damaging to something, as in "eco-friendly."
"The company switched to more environmentally friendly packaging."
"This cleaning spray is friendly to the environment and safe around pets."
"Many shoppers now choose planet-friendly products instead of plastic ones."
noun
1
A sports match that doesn't count toward any official standings.
"The team played a friendly against their local rivals before the season began."
"The coach used Saturday's friendly to try out some younger players."
"Our village side is playing a friendly against the school staff next week."
How to use friendly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWarm and welcoming in manner, or, as a noun, a casual match that doesn't affect rankings.
Common pairings
friendly match
user-friendly
friendly reminder
eco-friendly
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Word forms
- Plural
- friendlies
- Comparative
- friendlier, more friendly
- Superlative
- friendliest, most friendly
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The waiter was _____ and helped us pick a great meal.
Etymology
From Old English freondlic, formed from friend plus the adjective suffix -ly.
Synonyms
View more →
warm
kind
approachable
good-natured
affectionate
amiable
bonhomous
amicable
chummy
companionable
congenial
cordial
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for friendly
See all rhymes for 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.
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