friendly
Generally warm, approachable and easy to relate with in character.
Word facts
Definition of Friendly
Inviting, characteristic of friendliness.
Example sentences
This match is merely a friendly, so don't worry too much about it.
Your cat seems very friendly.
Using Friendly well
A closer look at how friendly is used — meaning in plain English, how close synonyms differ, and examples at different levels.
Kind, warm, and pleasant toward other people.
Use it to describe a warm, approachable manner in people, places, or tone. It also marks things designed to be easy or welcoming, as in 'user-friendly' or a 'friendly match.'
Descriptions of people and service, hospitality and customer reviews, and compound words like 'eco-friendly' or 'family-friendly.'
As an adjective 'friendly' describes manner; do not confuse it with the noun 'friend' or treat 'friendly' as an adverb, since its own adverb form ('in a friendly way') is awkward.
- warm
- Emphasises genuine affection and emotional heat; feels more heartfelt than the broadly pleasant 'friendly.'
- cordial
- More formal and polite; suggests correct, courteous warmth rather than close or casual friendliness.
- amiable
- Literary and even-tempered; describes someone easy to like and pleasant to be around, a touch more reserved than 'friendly.'
- approachable
- Focuses on being easy to talk to; a person can seem approachable without being actively warm.
- hostile
- Strong opposite; actively unfriendly, even aggressive.
- unfriendly
- Direct and plain; simply not warm or welcoming.
- cold
- Milder and more common; distant and lacking warmth without open aggression.
- aloof
- Suggests deliberate distance and reserve rather than active dislike.
- Beginner The new teacher is very friendly and always smiles.
- In writing The cafe has a friendly atmosphere that makes visitors want to stay.
- Advanced Beneath his friendly manner lay a shrewd negotiator who missed nothing.
'Friendly' is 'friend' plus '-ly'; it describes acting the way a good friend would.
Synonyms for Friendly
Antonyms for Friendly
Related words
Words closely connected to Friendly in meaning or use:
Words that rhyme with Friendly
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What does friendly mean?
Generally warm, approachable and easy to relate with in character. It is an adjective.
How many syllables does friendly have?
There are 2 syllables in friendly, divided as frehnd·lee when spoken.
What part of speech is friendly?
In a sentence, friendly functions as an adjective. As a verb, it describes an action or state.
What are synonyms for friendly?
Close in meaning to friendly are affable, amiable, cordial, genial — choose the one whose tone fits your sentence.
How do you use friendly in a sentence?
Example: "This match is merely a friendly, so don't worry too much about it."