friendly

[frend-lee]

adjective

friendlier, friendliest 

1. characteristic of or befitting a friend; showing friendship.

   a friendly greeting.

   Synonyms: neighborly, companionable

2. like a friend; kind; helpful.

   a little friendly advice.

   Synonyms: cordial, amiable, kindly, kindhearted, affectionate, genial

3. favorably disposed; inclined to approve, help, or support.

   a friendly bank.

   Synonyms: propitious, sympathetic, favorable, helpful, well-disposed, benevolent
   Antonyms: antagonistic

4. not hostile or at variance; amicable.

   a friendly warship;

   friendly natives.

5. easy to use, operate, understand, etc. (usually used in combination).

   a consumer-friendly instruction manual;

   a friendly food processor.

6. able to coexist with something without harm or trouble (usually used in combination).

   environmentally friendly building materials;

   a child-friendly restaurant.

adverb

1. Also friendlily in a friendly manner; like a friend.

noun

plural

friendlies 

1. a person who is in sympathetic relationship to oneself or one's side; an ally or supporter.

friendly

¹

/ ˈfrɛndlɪ /

adjective

1. showing or expressing liking, goodwill, or trust

   a friendly smile

2. on the same side; not hostile

3. tending or disposed to help or support; favourable

   a friendly breeze helped them escape

noun

1. Also called: friendly match. sport a match played for its own sake, and not as part of a competition, etc

-friendly

²

combining form

1. helpful, easy, or good for the person or thing specified

   ozone-friendly

Other Word Forms

• friendliness noun
• friendlily adverb
• prefriendly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of friendly¹

First recorded before 900; friend + -ly

Example Sentences

The frustrating away performance was then followed by a bruising 3-1 friendly defeat by Senegal at Wembley Stadium three days later.

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It all led to question marks over whether Bright would return to the squad this month for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Australia.

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It would be the perfect period to experiment and build experiences for youngsters, with England's last four matches of 2025 being friendlies.

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At first, Sandstrom was concerned about opposition from locals, but he said the reception has been friendly.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In it, the think tank urged wider reform to the tax system which would align "overall tax rates across different forms of income", something it says would be "fairer and more growth friendly".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• affable 
• affectionate 
• amiable 
• amicable 
• attentive 
• beneficial 
• chummy 
• cordial 
• familiar 
• favorable 
• good 
• helpful 
• loving 
• loyal 
• neighborly 
• peaceful 
• receptive 
• sympathetic 
• welcoming www.thesaurus.com