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
• prefriendly adjective
• friendlily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of friendly¹

First recorded before 900; friend + -ly

Example Sentences

England will end another successful year with two friendly matches - but what personnel and tactical experimentation might we see from manager Sarina Wiegman?

Read more on BBC

Between the pardon, the compensation, the training and the Hunter-Lowell climbdown, the landscape for future whistleblowers has become a lot friendlier.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

New research has identified a straightforward and environmentally friendly way to decompose Teflon, one of the most resilient plastics in use today, and convert it into valuable chemical ingredients.

Read more on Science Daily

A government spokesperson said: "We are backing farmers with the largest nature‑friendly budget in history with over £2.7bn a year to grow their businesses."

Read more on BBC

England have two friendlies in March before Tuchel names his squad for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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