amicable
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of amicable
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin amīcābilis, equivalent to amīc(us) “friend, friendly” + -ābilis adjective suffix meaning “capable of, tending to” ( see -able); cf. amiable
Explanation
The adjective amicable means "friendly" — but in particular, use it when describing relations one might otherwise expect to be unfriendly. The end of a romantic relationship that's less than amicable might involve broken dishes or broken bones. Amicable, not surprisingly, comes from the Latin word for "friend," amicus. Perhaps the things most commonly described as amicable are divorces. The parties in a divorce often tend to be so childish and the proceedings so messy that it's nice to have a word that reflects the absence of those qualities. Other nouns that commonly pair with amicable include relationship, split, parting, solution, and breakup.
Vocabulary lists containing amicable
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
100 Top "SAT" Words
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"For those who are already amicable, and can make decisions together, it's very good for them to have an option to choose joint custody. I think it's a great step forward."
From BBC • May 23, 2026
Navigating a separation is hard no matter how amicable the breakup is.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026
Though Anderson’s relationship with the billionaire has turned sour, it began as an amicable partnership more than three decades ago.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026
Embassy in Paris said that later on Tuesday Kushner and Barrot had a “frank and amicable call, reaffirming their shared commitment to working together, along with all other ministers and French officials.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
“Welcome to Calhoun High School, brother and sister Meecham,” the principal said, getting up and punching Ben on the shoulder in an amicable gesture.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
