Friendly: meaning, definitions and examples

Appropriate for describing someone who shows general warmth and approachability towards others in both formal and informal settings.

• She has a very friendly smile.
• The staff at the hotel were friendly and helpful.

Used to describe someone who is considerate and caring towards others, suitable for all contexts.

• She is very kind to her neighbors.
• It's kind of you to help out.

Works well in formal or literary contexts to describe someone who is friendly and good-natured.

• The new professor is quite amiable.
• His amiable personality won him many friends.

Can describe someone or something that is enjoyable and gives a sense of satisfaction, fitting for both formal and informal scenarios.

• We had a pleasant conversation.
• The weather today is quite pleasant.

Suitable for formal contexts to describe someone who is easy to talk to and gracious.

• The CEO was surprisingly affable despite his busy schedule.
• Her affable nature makes her a great host.

Best for formal settings to highlight a person’s cheerful and kind demeanor.

• The genial host made everyone feel at home.
• His genial smile brightened the room.

Used when describing someone who is kind and pleasant to others.

• She has a friendly smile that makes everyone feel at ease.
• The staff at the hotel were very friendly and helpful.

Used when describing an environment or behavior that makes others feel accepted and comfortable.

• The community was very welcoming to new members.
• The welcoming committee greeted us with open arms.

Often used to describe a person, gesture, or atmosphere that is emotionally comforting and sincere.

• She gave me a warm hug when I arrived.
• Their warm welcome made us feel immediately at home.

Best used to describe places, appearances, or atmospheres that make people want to come in or participate.

• The cozy cottage looked very inviting from the outside.
• He created an inviting environment for the guests.

Used when describing someone who is generous and friendly to guests or strangers.

• They were very hospitable, offering us food and a place to stay.
• Her hospitable nature made her many lasting friendships.

Appropriate in formal or professional settings to describe polite and warm interactions.

• The meeting had a cordial atmosphere, and everyone was very respectful.
• They exchanged cordial greetings at the conference.

A match, particularly in sports, where the main objective is not competition but rather maintaining good relations, practicing, or having fun.

• The national teams scheduled a friendly to improve their skills before the tournament.
• Yesterday's friendly was a great chance for the new players to gain some experience.

A game or match played primarily to display skills or to entertain an audience without the pressure of competition. Often used in sports or artistic performances.

• The exhibition game drew a large crowd, eager to see the star athletes in action.
• During the festival, there was an exhibition match between two renowned tennis players.

A match organized specifically for practice purposes, allowing teams or players to try out strategies and improve their performance ahead of more important games.

• The coach scheduled a practice match to test the new formations.

A game that serves as a preparation tool, often played just before a major competition to help players get into the right mindset and condition.

• The warm-up game helped the team get ready for the championship.