amicable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "amicable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a friendly and peaceful relationship between two people or groups of people. For example, "The two business partners were able to reach an amicable agreement on the terms of their partnership."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Amicable" discussions between London and Edinburgh would come to an end, he said.

The Guardian

In private, senior Greek officials say their preference would be to find an amicable solution with western lenders.

The Guardian

It said the Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, and foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop, had sought a six-month adjournment in September in an attempt to allow the two countries "to seek an amicable settlement".

The Guardian

Msipa's credibility as a witness is strengthened by his amicable relationship with Mugabe.

The Guardian

Most people are tolerant and amicable.

The Guardian

The "amicable" discussions would not take place.

The Guardian

At any point (though only at two "windows", summer and mid-winter), if the two clubs and the player agree, an amicable transfer will be possible.

The Economist

Mr Fridman said his conversation with the new BP chief was perfectly amicable.

The Economist

In reality, of course, the federal government would have every reason to signal to voters that it would not be amicable.

The Economist

Try as it would to stand solid after its founders, the tempestuous Charles and Maurice Saatchi, flounced out at the start of 1995, Cordiant could not repair the cracks left by their slapdash corporate castle-building in the 1980s.It is an amicable split by the blood-drenched standards of the company's history.

The Economist

Without involving the European Commission directly in defence decisions a taboo for many members—he asks whether it could apply its experience to overseeing a "common market in weaponry".Mr Barnier's hopes for an amicable division of labour between the EU and NATO, still a far more important defence club, rose this week after a diplomatic deal to finesse differences between Greece and Turkey.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing personal relationships that are simply friendly, consider using synonyms like "friendly", "cordial" or "harmonious" instead. This will prevent your writing from sounding overly formal.

Common error

Avoid using "amicable" in casual or informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. For instance, saying "We had an amicable chat" about a casual conversation with a friend is generally inappropriate. Opt for more natural-sounding alternatives like "friendly" or "pleasant" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The word "amicable" functions primarily as an adjective. It is used to describe nouns, indicating that something is characterized by friendliness and a lack of discord. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies a positive and agreeable interaction or resolution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

41%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amicable" is an adjective used to describe something characterized by friendliness and a lack of discord. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its main function is to convey goodwill and cooperation, most frequently in the contexts of news and formal business. When aiming to express a friendly relationship in less formal situations, synonyms like "friendly", "cordial", or "harmonious" may be more appropriate. It's crucial to remember that while "amicable" describes relationships, "amiable" refers to a person's character.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cordial

Indicates warmth and politeness, often in a formal setting. It's a more formal and less common synonym for "amicable".

harmonious

Emphasizes agreement and a lack of conflict, focusing on the pleasantness of the relationship.

friendly

A more general term indicating a positive and kind relationship. It's less specific than "amicable" regarding settlements or agreements.

peaceful

Highlights the absence of conflict and the presence of tranquility. It focuses more on the state of peace than the relationship itself.

agreeable

Suggests a willingness to agree and cooperate. "Amicable" implies a deeper sense of friendliness beyond mere agreement.

cooperative

Focuses on the willingness to work together. Lacks the warmth and relational aspect of "amicable".

on good terms

Describes a positive relationship between parties, often after a potential conflict. It is more conversational than "amicable".

without animosity

Emphasizes the absence of hostility, rather than the presence of friendliness. It highlights a lack of negative feelings.

on friendly terms

Is an idiom indicating a positive and kind relationship. This alternative is less formal and more verbose than "amicable".

with goodwill

Implies a positive intention and friendly disposition, similar to the spirit of "amicable" but less direct.

FAQs

How to use "amicable" in a sentence?

Use "amicable" to describe a friendly or peaceful relationship or agreement, as in "They reached an "amicable agreement" after the negotiations" or "The meeting was conducted in an "amicable manner"".

What can I say instead of "amicable"?

You can use alternatives such as "cordial", "harmonious", or "friendly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "amicable" or "amiable"?

"Amicable" describes relations between people, suggesting friendliness and a desire for peace. "Amiable" describes a person's disposition, meaning they are generally friendly and pleasant. Therefore, use "amicable" to describe a situation and "amiable" to describe someone's character.

What's the difference between "amicable" and "cordial"?

While both terms suggest friendliness, "amicable" often refers to a relationship or settlement achieved through goodwill, whereas "cordial" emphasizes politeness and warmth, particularly in formal situations. An agreement can be "amicable", and a greeting can be "cordial".