Friendly: meaning, definitions and examples

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friendly

[ˈfrɛndli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

personality trait

Showing kindness and goodwill; amicable.

Synonyms

affable, amiable, genial, kind, pleasant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
friendly	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.
kind	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.
amiable	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.
pleasant	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.
affable	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.
genial	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.

Examples of usage

He is known for his friendly demeanor towards everyone he meets.
The friendly gesture of offering to help was much appreciated.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

environment

Conducive to or suggestive of social interaction; not hostile.

Synonyms

cordial, hospitable, inviting, warm, welcoming.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
friendly	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.
welcoming	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.
warm	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.
inviting	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.
hospitable	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.
cordial	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.

Examples of usage

The friendly atmosphere of the cafe made it a popular spot for friends to gather.
The hotel staff were incredibly friendly and made us feel welcome.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

sports

A match or competition that is not part of a regular series.

Synonyms

exhibition, practice match, warm-up game.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
friendly	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.
exhibition	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.
practice match	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.
warm-up game	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.

Examples of usage

They arranged a friendly between the two teams to promote goodwill and sportsmanship.
The friendly match ended in a draw, with both sides showing respect for each other.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'friendly' comes from the Old English word 'freond', meaning 'friend'.
It evolved through Middle English before adopting its modern form in the 14th century.
The suffix '-ly' turns a noun into an adjective, suggesting a manner or quality of being.

Psychology

Research shows that friendliness boosts social bonds and can improve mental health.
Kind interactions can release oxytocin, a hormone related to bonding and trust.
Friendly behavior is often linked to higher levels of life satisfaction and happiness.

Pop Culture

Friendly characters are often found in children’s shows, promoting kindness and cooperation.
The 'friendly neighbor' trope is popular in movies and comic books, often representing community values.
Popular songs and media often celebrate friendship, portraying it as an essential part of life.

Literature

In many stories, 'friendly' characters are the heroes, helping others and solving conflicts.
Classic literature often contrasts 'friendly' figures with antagonistic characters to highlight moral lessons.
The concept of equality in friendship is a common theme in poetry and novels throughout history.

Cultural Perspectives

Different cultures have unique ways of expressing friendliness, such as bowing, hugging, or handshakes.
In some cultures, being 'friendly' is associated with hospitality and welcoming guests warmly.
Many traditions celebrate friendships through festivals, emphasizing the importance of social ties.

Translations

Translations of the word "friendly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 amigável

🇮🇳 मित्रवत

🇩🇪 freundlich

🇮🇩 ramah

🇺🇦 дружній

🇵🇱 przyjazny

🇯🇵 友好的 (ゆうこうてき)

🇫🇷 amical

🇪🇸 amistoso

🇹🇷 arkadaşça

🇰🇷 친근한 (chingeunhan)

🇸🇦 ودي

🇨🇿 přátelský

🇸🇰 priateľský

🇨🇳 友好的 (yǒuhǎo de)

🇸🇮 prijazen

🇮🇸 vingjarnlegur

🇰🇿 достық

🇬🇪 მეგობრული

🇦🇿 dostluq

🇲🇽 amistoso

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,062, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3059 trace
3060 gate
3061 focused
3062 friendly
3063 allowance
3064 totally
3065 score
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