WordGarden.iofriendly
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /frˈɛndli/
US
- /ˈfrɛndli/
Meanings
Adjective
kind, pleasant, and welcoming toward others
easy, suitable, or helpful for a particular user, group, or purpose
allied or belonging to one's own side in a conflict
Noun
a sports match played for practice rather than competition
Beyond the definition
To be friendly is to be kind, warm, and easy to talk to. Think of a golden retriever wagging its tail at everyone it meets. That is the kind of spirit this word suggests. It is about showing goodwill to others and making them feel comfortable and welcome. A warm smile can brighten someone's day, and a small, kind gesture can help people feel at ease. You might describe your neighbor this way if they always wave hello, or a shopkeeper if they greet you with a real smile. It does not necessarily mean a deep or close friendship. It usually just suggests a pleasant, open manner. Sometimes even rivals may seem friendly because they want to stay polite or reach a goal.
"Friendly" describes a person, action, or atmosphere that feels kind, open, and welcoming. It goes a step beyond basic politeness. It suggests warmth, ease, and a wish to make other people feel comfortable. Think about the difference between being merely polite to a cashier and speaking in a friendly way. The first may be correct but distant, while the second feels warmer and more human.
The meaning can shift with the setting. In sports, a "friendly match" is not about people being gentle with each other. It means an informal game, usually outside normal competition, where the result matters less. In the military phrase "friendly fire," the word does not mean kind at all. It refers to an accidental attack on one's own side. In modern English, the word also appears in terms like "eco-friendly" and "user-friendly." In those cases, it means something is not harmful to the environment or is easy for people to use.
Historically, "friendly" comes from the Old English word frēond, linked to the idea of a friend, someone you trust and care about. Today, we mostly use it for a general way of acting rather than for close personal bonds. A friendly person is easy to talk to and helps others feel relaxed. A friendly place feels inviting. A friendly game feels informal rather than serious. Across these uses, the word usually carries the same core idea: warmth, openness, and a welcome feeling.
Examples
- 1
Hospitality
The staff were friendly from the moment we arrived.
- 2
Difficult message
Try to keep your message polite and friendly, even if you're upset.
- 3
Teacher
Our new teacher is strict but friendly.
- 4
New students
She has always been friendly to new students.
- Patternfriendly to + person
kind and pleasant in the way you treat them
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Family relationship
He's been friendly with my family for years.
- Patternfriendly with + person
knowing them well and getting on well with them
- 6
Website design
We need a more user-friendly website.
- Phraseuser-friendly
easy for people to use
- 7
Packaging
The company is switching to more environmentally friendly packaging.
- Phraseenvironmentally friendly
causing less harm to the environment
- 8
Polite reminder
Just a friendly reminder that the meeting starts at nine.
- Phrasea friendly reminder
a polite way to remind someone
- 9
Sports match
Brazil will play a friendly against Japan next week.
- Domainin sports, a friendly
a game played for practice, not as part of a competition
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- friendly smile
- friendly tone
- be friendly to someone
- friendly atmosphere
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- friendlyadjectivenoun
Forms
- friendliercomparativeadjectivenoun
- friendliestsuperlativeadjectivenoun